"…because people expect that a girl would choose her beauty over anything else. But maybe one day you will write your own version of the story about a girl who overcomes her hardships instead."

I love how Nia is not perfect but she’s strong, feisty, and determined. She’s relatable and inspiring, and I find myself rooting for her as she faces various challenges. I think important themes such as poverty, education, family, loss, empowerment, self-acceptance, and friendship are explored so well in this book.

Built into the layered story are mesmerizing Javanese folktales, traditions, and customs. Kadarusman's prose is lyrical, painting a vivid picture of Nia's world and her internal struggles. The story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking.

"She couldn’t take away the ache of hunger or the hurt of harsh words, but she could give comfort through the magic of stories."

This was a fast-paced Middle-Grade novel that I truly enjoyed despite the difficult themes. ( )

Michelle Kadarusman is one of my favourite middle grade authors. Her writing is so timely and beautiful and feature strong female main characters. Girl of the Southern Sea is an incredibly impactful story of Nia who is growing up in Jakarta, Indonesia without a mother and with a father who is struggling with the loss of his wife.

Nia is a bright creative fourteen year old who not only keeps up her studies even though she can no longer attend school but also cares for her younger brother and helps her father with the family food-cart business. In Jakarta once you reach high school you need to begin to pay for schooling and the family cannot afford for Nia to continue her studies however she is determined to complete her schooling one way or another. Living in the slums has its challenges for Nia, worrying about thieves and her father’s absences but her strength carries her family.

Girl of the Southern Sea speaks to anyone with a storyteller’s heart. Nia tells the most incredible stories about Dewi Kadita to her brother to help assuage his fears and to help her escape from the harsh reality of life as she knows it. Michelle Kadarusman has given us an incredible gift in this story, inspired by her family trips to her father’s hometown in Indonesia. Nia’s is a story that is not confined to the slums of Jakarta, it’s the story of many young girls throughout the world who don’t have access to a proper education and are forced into the life of an adult before they are barely in their teenage years or younger. Michelle Kadarusman brings into sharp focus the privilege we experience living in a first world country and opens our children’s eyes to the injustices faced by children in other parts of the world. Nia’s story is told with love and bravery. You don’t feel sad for Nia you want to fight along side her, to change her future and to ensure a better life for her and her brother. Part of the proceeds from this book are being donated to Plan International to ensure that girls throughout the world are given opportunities they would otherwise miss. ( )