This story is told in the imaginative, creative style of a ten year old girl writing in her diary. There are so many things our narrator, Gilly, experiences that we, the readers, may understand a bit better than she does. However, as we are experiencing it all through the fantastical, magical lens of a ten year old girl, we also aren't fully aware of what the reality of these experiences may be. This made for a fascinating and immersive read, as it could be interpreted in multiple ways. The narrator did a wonderful job of portraying how innocent, yet somehow certain of everything Gilly is. This story is definitely worth a reread to try and see if a second listen can help the reader to absorb more and learn more.

Overall, I have many theories floating around about the circumstances surrounding Gilly and her friends and family. I really enjoyed this book and much like Gilly's pencils, I feel my brain needs a break, so that it can be full of brand new ideas about this story.

This was REALLY short, I enjoyed it but it wasn't quite anything particularly special. I give this a 3 it was fun and good overall, the writing was well-done and the story was interesting but it wasn't entirely my thing.

Overall this book is really cute...I feel like it is better geared towards slightly older kids, maybe middle school and up only because some things are hinted at but never fully explained. So *if* your kid comes to you with questions it would be easier to answer for an older child.

I enjoyed this book for what it was, but was a little disappointed with the ending as things weren't really explained fully and I feel like I still have questions left unanswered. I loved the characters of Oggy and Gilly though sometimes they felt slightly younger than the age they were depicted. I love that it is told from Gilly's perspective and that the thought process jumps around like that of an actual child. However, with that in mind, it does make some of the aspects of the story a little hard to follow (for example what is going on with her dad).

The only thing I didn't particularly care for in this book was the ending. I feel like it was rushed and just abruptly ended. I wish it was a little more finished, for example did Gilly's mom ever find out what her and Oggy did while she was sleeping? What was her reaction? I'm also a little confused about the fact that it implies she's pregnant but we don't really know by who.....or when that happened?

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me access to listen to this one!

3.5/5

It was so lovely to dip into a child’s thought process through their journal where on its pages they’re free to express the tangential, meandering, creative wandering of their mind. It felt nostalgic. Though my and Gilly’s childhoods were quite different, our imaginative minds were much the same. I loved some of the conclusions she came to, or correlations she would draw that as the reader, we know are not actually related. I enjoyed translating how she would describe things she didn’t understand in her 10-year-old way into my adult brain. This was full of whimsy, creativity, and longing, and the story was more about the exploration of a kid’s imagination and how they interpret the world than about an external plot, and it worked great, but for feeling slow even for a short book. It made a great listen while I kept my hands busy with other tasks. The narrator, Casey Montgomery was the perfect choice. I adored her performance. The story wrapped up nicely, in a way that answered Gilly’s deepest questions, and grounded the story. I’m very glad I read it.

Thank you Tsvi Jolles and Brave Fawn Books for the audio review copy! I leave my review honestly and voluntarily.

Tangerines is a journey through the wandering thoughts is a 10 year old. One idea spilling into the next, full of randomness and wonder. Gilly’s innocent voice makes everything feel big and important, even when she’s just figuring things out as she goes. I particularly liked that it was a mix of imagination, nostalgia, and that wild, free-flowing way kids see the world and how thier minds conjure explanations.

When I started Tangerines, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. At first glance, the story presents itself as a simple narrative from a child’s perspective, but very quickly, I realized that what seems straightforward on the surface holds layers of emotional complexity and quiet heartbreak. Tsvi Jolles crafts a tale that’s filtered through the wide-eyed innocence of Gilly, yet resonates deeply with adult listeners who can read between the lines.

The Story
At its heart, Tangerines is a story about absence, misunderstanding, and emotional processing through a child’s lens. Gilly’s father is gone, and no one will explain why. That silence becomes a breeding ground for confusion, guilt, and wild speculation, exactly the kind of internal chaos a child might feel when left in the dark.
Early on, I found myself frustrated, why wouldn’t the adults in Gilly’s life offer her some age-appropriate truth? The vagueness of the adults’ explanations felt infuriating, even negligent. But as the story progressed, I began to understand that this frustration was part of the book’s emotional strategy. Jolles doesn’t shy away from discomfort; instead, he uses it to reflect the ripple effects of adult decisions and the importance (and consequences) of communication within families.
The writing is spare, observant, and often poetic. Gilly's voice (honest, scattered, and emotionally raw) reminded me of how children often internalize blame for things they don’t understand. There’s an undercurrent of mental health themes here too, especially in the way Gilly seems to veer off-topic and hop between thoughts, perhaps hinting at something deeper, like undiagnosed ADHD or simply the way young minds process trauma.

The Narration
Casey Montgomery’s performance is a standout. Her voice captures Gilly’s childlike vulnerability without ever sounding caricatured or forced. There’s a softness to her delivery that perfectly mirrors the emotional fragility of the protagonist, yet she also maintains enough tonal variation to keep the narrative grounded and engaging.
Montgomery does an excellent job distinguishing characters subtly, which helps the listener stay oriented in a story that often drifts between internal monologue and external observation. The pacing is deliberate and measured, giving you time to sit with Gilly’s feelings rather than rush through them and that works well for this kind of introspective storytelling.

Audiobook Flow & Listening Experience
The flow of the audiobook is smooth, though Gilly’s tendency to jump between topics might feel jarring for some listeners. At times, I found myself briefly disoriented, unsure whether we were in a memory, a present moment, or a daydream. This could be a challenge for those listening in short bursts or while multitasking.
That said, this structure mirrors the mental landscape of a child trying to make sense of something they can’t fully grasp, and in that sense, it feels authentic. I listened in longer stretches, and that made a big difference in staying connected to the emotional thread of the story.

Final Thoughts
Tangerines is not a light listen, but it is a meaningful one. It asks you to sit with discomfort, to question how and when we talk to children about the things that hurt. While I was initially skeptical about its target age group, this feels like a book with more to offer adults than tweens, I can also see the value in older teens or families listening to it together as a conversation starter.
I found myself appreciating this audiobook more in hindsight than I did in the moment. It lingers. It invites reflection.


Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Brave Fawn Books for providing me with an Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op | Brave Fawn Books for providing me with an Audio ARC in exchange for an honest review

These were my immediate thoughts after listening to this audiobook...

The main thing I couldn't get my head round was I just couldn't understand why a 10 year old wasn't given a more substantial explanation for her father's absence. Children being lied to is a massive no-no for me. This lack of communication profoundly affects Gilly and allows her mind to run riot with all the possibilities. I'm not saying she needed a full adult explanation, but her mother should've had an age appropriate conversation with her, to put her mind at rest. It is widely accepted that when parents part ways, the child tends to blame themselves and the impact of unspoken truths on a child's emotional development could be catastrophic.

Then a strange thing happened; I slowly started to change my opinion...

I realised that the way the book made me feel was totally intentional. It was the author's way of showing the consequences adult decisions could potentially have on their children and subsequently showing the importance of open communication within families.

Having said that, I am bemused as to why then this book is apparently aimed at 11-13 year olds (Middle Grade US/lower Secondary School UK). Surely this book should be read by the parents, not the children. After all, it is the adults responsibility to choose what to tell the child, following a break up, not the other way round. So shouldn't this book be read by adults to forewarn them of certain consequences? On the other hand, I feel as though this would also be a fascinating book for older children to study in English Literature (GCSE level UK). There is a lot to get your teeth into. Obviously there is a whole mental health aspect bubbling under the surface that could be explored. But also, things like why is the book entitled Tangerines?

Other thoughts:

I can't fault the narrator, Casey Montgomery. She has a wonderful childlike quality to her voice, which was perfect for the naïve, childish voice of Gilly. Also the cover artwork for this book is beautiful.

Gilly seems to jump between subjects all the time, which left me a bit discombobulated. I thought perhaps she may have ADHD. In my experience, ADHD in girls can present as scattered thoughts and constantly going off topic. I wonder if this in some way was the reason for Gilly's mother feeling as though she shouldn't try and explain the father's absence more adequately.

In retrospect I appreciated 'Tangerines' by Tsvi Jolles far more after I had finished the book, than I did while I was caught up in it. I will therefore be rereading this at some point in the future with a different mindset. I have also upped my rating to 4 stars to reflect this.

#MentalHealth #ParentalAbandonment #YA

I wanted to like this book, but it didn't really work for me. I didn't realize that this was a diary style/ stream of consciousness book, so that threw me off for a little bit. I also was a little confused if this was magical or just a girl with a great imagination.

I will say that Gilly had a great brain to be in for a little while. The book hints of her going through some family stuff, that maybe she doesn't really get and she's trying to navigate through it. There's nothing really spelled out, but I think the adults that may be reading along will get it.

The narrator was the PERFECT Gilly. I forgot I was listening to a book and thought I was listening to a 10 year old girl.

Thank you to Netgallery and the Publishers for the audiobook.

I loved the cover of this book and wanted to read this, I didn't realize how short it was when I started it but I don't think the length really takes away from anything. This book is the "journal" of a 10 year old and so it does kind of go all over the place where she talks about what's happening to her and her friend, trying to get to her dad and any adventures she's on in the forest.

I think as an older adult its not for me but if I was the targeted audience I would like it much better even saying that I did enjoy the book.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC of this!

I went into this book expecting more magical elements to the story, but I think I would’ve enjoyed it better had I not. However, the audiobook narrator was amazing. She brought the story to life.

Tangerines is a whimsical story, that follows Gilly (10 years old) and her best friend Oggy on an adventure to the other side of the forest to find her absent father.

This heartwarming quirky tale is told through Gilly’s stream of consciousness, by means of her beloved journal. It tackles childhood innocence, friendship, first love, navigating divorced parents, and overcoming fears.

Jolles writes Gilly’s rambling perfectly, I never once doubted that this was a child voice, one full of childish optimism, and wonder.

Tangerine poetically written, with beautiful prose and scattered with stunning quotes “I think is a sign that the story end as the last pencil runs out” and “dreams are like dandelion seeds, they float around and sometimes land where they are not meant to”. I actually live a garden full of dandelions.
I loved how tangerines connected story in lots of different ways, it was a treat to read and digest.

I personally had a few issues with this title, but it will remain spoiler free:

🍊 The adults in this story are frustrating to say the least! I felt they are also ridiculously written. Spoilers aside, how can one possible not know!? (Once you read it, you’ll know what I’m talking about). But honestly! It makes no sense. The miscommunication, and misconceptions, sure would just fill Gilly with a lack of trust in adults?

🍊 The quirkiness seemed quite excessive especially as the plot was practically non existent. That being said it did work for the character, but I found it to be quite tedious after a while.

🍊 The romance element particularly in this genre, I feel is unnecessary. The friendship, albeit turbulent is a beautiful one. Should have been left as that in my opinion.

🍊 Eating mushrooms in the forest and entering a “dream(ing)” state was a bit much for a 9-12. I’m sure it would go over most children’s heads. However, I reside near woodlands and certainly wouldn’t want my child to munch on mushrooms trying to reenact this scene. Mainly because foraging mushrooms can be so very dangerous, especially as not many children are budding Mycologists.

🍊 The ending left me completely unfulfilled and annoyed. I can’t spoil it, but really!

All in all a fine read

Like other reviewers, I had the sense that there's probably an audience for this book and I am certainly not it. I'm not sure *who* the audience for the book is because I'm nearly certain that neither the YA nor the MG audience (as a reader of both age categories) are it either.

The book is told through the diary of 10-year-old Gilly. But I didn't know she was 10 until the middle of the book, even though I read the cover copy before listening. This is because the writing and jumpy-ness of the narration was that of someone younger. And even if it's a 10-year-old who's mind jumps around, I'm certain that readers who are that age aren't interested in reading a diary that's so jumpy.

Additionally, Oggy was a terrible friend. I'm not sure if the reader is supposed to understand that or not. Is this something I understand as an adult that a child is going to think is the way best friends should behave? I don't think it's well framed. I don't think this is really for MG and it's definitely not a YA book.

I'm giving it a 2.5/5 stars (rounded to 3) because it's not terrible. There's worse books out there. But I don't think this is really a good book. The flaws are glaring to anybody who reads MG/YA.

I felt curious about the title of tangerines, and the cover was beautiful. I was drawn into Gilly's world. She's only 10 but has a great imagination. I'm glad she has Oggy and i enjoyed their journey.

I felt for Gilly when her dad went to live on the other side of the forest with her mum's friend Mississippi. It was heartbreaking witnessing her trying to figure out why he was living with her.

I was hoping she'd see him again one day. The way she carved hearts into the tangerine tree for every day he was gone was heartwarming.

Tsvi Jolles does a great job of bringing Gilly, her thoughts, and her surroundings to life. The audiobook and story itself are both quirky, fun and relaxing but also made me curious. The story is short, around 3 hours for the audiobook, but it's so immersive.

Tangerines gives a unique look into the thoughts and experiences of a 10 year old. I particularly enjoyed Gilly's journal.

The plot is emotional, real, realistic, imaginative and memorable.

5 stars

Thanks to Tsvi Jolles and Audible Audio for my audiobook in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

Rated as 3.5/5, rounded up to 4
Tangerines is a whimsical and heartfelt novel that follows 10-year-old Gilly on a tender quest to find her long-absent father, accompanied by her eccentric friend Oggy. Jolles brings to life the magic and vulnerability of childhood through vivid, lyrical prose and an imaginative narrative filled with secrets, dreams, and the bond of friendship.

While the story offers a touching portrayal of a child's inner world, it’s not without its issues. Gilly’s voice, at times, reads younger than her age, which can disrupt the believability of her character for readers familiar with middle-grade fiction. Additionally, some content may raise eyebrows for parents and educators. A scene involving the foraging and consumption of mushrooms, followed by a dream-like experience, could be interpreted as promoting risky behaviour—especially in a book aimed at younger readers. These elements, though likely meant to be metaphorical or magical, come off as red flags in the context of middle-grade appropriateness.

Despite these concerns, Tangerines remains a uniquely written and emotionally resonant book, best suited for readers who can navigate its more ambiguous content with maturity. It’s a story that captures the aching, hopeful heart of childhood—albeit with some caveats.

Told entirely in the diary entries of 10 year old Gilly, this story is thoughtful and whimsical, very stream of consciousness and so enjoyable. Gilly tells her story in bits and pieces just as it comes to mind and every entry tells of the people and places she loves - her mother and father, Oggy (her best friend who makes up words and rules better than anyone), her beloved tangerine tree and the forest she lives in.

Since I read this via audio, I’ll review both the story and the narration -

Story: I thoroughly enjoyed this. The author convincingly weaves together the scrambled thoughts and emotions of a 10 yr old into a believable and compelling narrative. Gilly’s voice rings true at every turn and keeps you waiting to find out how things tie together. The writing is definitely more descriptive than plot-driven and while that won’t work for every reader, it really rang true for me.

Narration - amazing! No notes. The narrator perfectly conveys the wonder, hopes and fears of a 10 year old facing an epic journey to reunite with her father.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC.

Thank you to Netgalley, Tsvi Jolles, and Brave Fawn Books for the Advanced Listener's Copy of the audiobook!

"Because beautiful things should stand out on their own. Beautiful things have beautiful names, like burgundy. But not always... Mississippi."

Let's be real, how could you look at the cover and decide to move on from this? It's absolutely gorgeous! This book is exactly what I expected it to be, and I'm going to go out on a limb and say this would be the perfect read for neurodivergent children, as a neurodivergent adult myself. The voice is perfectly of that as a child, but both Gilly and her friend Oggy think differently than everyone else.

"Oggi says magic is like a clock, everything has to happen at just the right time or it won't work. I want to believe him, part of me already does. If anyone can bend the rules of the forest, it's Oggi."

The question of can a prayer or a spell bring a loved one back to you tends to be the main theme here, but there were so many other elements at play here to bring enough to the story without overwhelming it. The magical but foreboding forest in between them and their heart's desire, coupled with the magical animal only she can see really lend to the childlike fantasy the author is going for. I also have to agree with other reviewers when I say that I enjoyed the "acknowledgments" section reading as it is coming from Gilly, and not Jolles, because it really actualizes the idea that Tangerines is Gilly's final written work. I won't harp on some of the elements that were questionable but I did have to stop and say "Is that...'x'?" and thought it was a choice.

"I don't think magic is real, but I totally believe in Oggi."

Casey Montgomery kills it as the narrator, lending the childlike voice and wonderment, making the story feel realized and complete.

"If you blush in the dark, no one can see it. Only you know. Blush is a funny word, it sounds like something Oggi would make up. But the funniest word I know is hodgepodge. The saddest word? Longing, like longing for someone. If I'm sad, I can say hodgepodge a few times and it helps. When mom is sad and I say hodgepodge over and over, she gets annoyed and tells me to stop. But by then, she usually forgets why she was sad in the first place. Words can be a bit like magic."

thank you, NetGalley for an advanced ALC and ARC of this book

This is a middle grade and I was curious about it
I can see little girls liking this story about the rambles of the inner mind of a child.

for me the story didn't leave a lasting impression

I understand this is book based on a 10year old however I lost interest in it several times. I did finish it and I'm not sure if I am glad I did? You follow Gilly and her bestie Oggy to find her dad. She does end up making it through the forest to where her dad is. It was a "fun" adventure for her however like I said I lost interest so it wasn't all that fun for me. I will say that Casey did great narrating!

My first impression was that the audiobook narrator has a really nice voice, this is not always the case so it was a welcome change.
Now for the book in itself: I don't usually read "stream of consciousness" books, i find them confusing, and i enjoy more plot-focused books. But because it's a book originally destined for children, it's still accessible. Maybe if I would have read it as a child I would not have enjoyed it as much, so I think there's value in reading it as an adult.
This book has little plot, and it's more of an exploration of this little girl's mind. Really reads like a diary.
If you are able to read books physically or on a e-reader, maybe go for that instead. Don't get me wrong, the audiobook is really well crafted, but i feel like this kind of book is easier to read than to listen to, because it's easier for you to adjust the speed of your reading, or reread certain passages.

This is such a beautiful story and the narrator did an amazing job. I loved the themes of family and friendship. My kids and I would definitely listen to this again!!