Living Books
Jiddy Vardy
Ruth Estevez (2020)
Jiddy is a survivor.
Rescued at birth, Jiddy grows up in Robin Hood's Bay, a community which harbours a dangerous secret, one that could get you killed.
Always the outsider, with her dark skin and hair, at sixteen Jiddy is clever, brave and headstrong, soon risking her life and freedom to play her part in the Bay's clandestine activities.
Then, just as romance blossoms and Jiddy finally feels like she belongs, figures from the past threaten to tear her world apart, and she has to decide where her loyalties truly lie.
A thrilling tale of one girl's search for identity and love, set against a backdrop of wild seas, smuggling and violence.
Honestly, this is a brilliant, engaging story from page 1 to 400 and whatever it is. Historical, young adult, female protagonist, pirates, smuggling...what is there not to love about that combination? Jiddy is a fantastic character, whom we properly meet as a child but leave as a young woman, and her development is realistic and unlaboured, by which I mean the author portrays an authentic young adult coming of age, although of course, in this period in history, like most young people, Jiddy works hard. She's self-assured with a well-calibrated moral compass, and she's mostly in control of her own destiny, which makes for some emotional moments in reading when that control is snatched away from her.
Debbie McGowan / Amazon
Life Challenges
- Making life choices
- Community violence
- Inequality and oppression
- Separation
- Unsure of identity and who you are
Themes
- Independence
- Community
- Health and wellbeing
- Mental Health
- Love and acceptance
What's Great?
- Character driven
- Absorbing plotline
- Great imagery
- Delightful use of language
- Book series
