Just Remember
Donna Blaber
Pub. 2021

November 02, 2021

When Em becomes the accidental cause of her father’s death and the centre of a dangerous operation, is the strange stone she found on the beach her only salvation?

In her book Just Remember, author Donna Blaber has found a creative way to come across to teenagers in an emotionally and heartfelt way, making a great connection with the reader.

Em, though going through a hard time, is determined to make sense of all the nonsense going on around her. It is easy to feel as though you are Em, protecting the native bush and those around her.

I liked the way Donna tells the story, as though it is really special to her as well.

The author’s use of te reo uses Maori language in her descriptions and dialogue between characters firmly sets the book in our wonderful Aotearoa.

At the start of the book, when Em texts her mother asking if she is okay, and gets a reply that says ‘They’re all gone’ made me think about what it might feel like being in that situation, having to handle that all on your own.

This book made me feel happy and sorry for Em at the same time. Happy that she was starting over, but sad at the events that caused her to leave.

Despite being so engaging, this book probably was not my style but I’m sure there are many kids who would love to read this.

I got the impression that this story was based on something exciting, original and wonderful even if some of the information was a bit packed together and overloading.

Overall this is a compelling and interesting river of emotion and magic that captures you up in its flow and doesn’t let you go until you turn the last page.

• Zara Muirson lives in Christchurch.