Norah's Ark by Victoria Williamson makes you believe in friendship. It has this undeniable tenderness that enchants your heart with love, empathy, and generosity.
I am impressed with the title character, Norah. She made me cry a few times, and I almost held myself to stand up for her and be her guardian. But proud of how she stands her ground and finds herself in the most uncertain certainties.

Adam's composure is inspiring. He is way more tolerant and sensible for his age. His maturity and kindness are rare. He gave hope to kids suffering from life-threatening diseases and gave voice to emotional challenges and his dilemma of reality and escapism in a nuanced way.
As much as I am empathetic with Norah’s father, my heart is with Adam’s mother. Her trauma is relatable. Healing takes time, and everyone has a different clock. She is just a concerned mother who needs time to heal.

While reading with cried-out eyes, this story will make you question everything you take for granted; home, parents, love, friendship, and identity. It will refresh your impressions of animal cruelty. And how important it is to promote awareness about it.

I recommend everyone to read it.

At first glance, Adam and Norah would seem to have very little in common.

She lives with her single father on benefits - subsisting on meals like instant noodles with tomato ketchup, visiting food banks, and living in temporary accommodation because her father cannot afford to pay the rent regularly. Norah knows nothing about her mother, but she is keen to explore that mystery and get some answers.

Despite the areas in her life that are lacking, Norah is reasonably content with her pets, and with the veritable menagerie of local animals that she is taking care of.

In material terms, Adam is living at the other end of the spectrum. But he is recovering from leukaemia, and it is not only his physical wellbeing that has taken a beating in the process. He is not allowed to go out or to meet friends, and takes solace in the nest of baby birds that he is looking after.

When Adam and Norah's paths cross, can they help each other with the challenges they face? And are they, in fact, so very different after all...?

This is a moving story that teaches young readers about empathy, and the need for kindness to animals - and each other. It's a beautiful book and deserves a wide readership.