The Weight of water - sara crossan

 ​   Imagine an world where you're an outsider, outcast and an intruder. Hostile glares and disdainful stares on the bus. Whispers and rumours in class spreading like wildfire behind your back. Ignorance and idiocy. They think you're inadequate, unimportant , irritable and incapable of ever fitting in. And you feel isolated, like your'e alone on an island. But you must survive in this brutal land. Be brave and learn to swim. Swim away from their mindlessness, their rude comments and attempts to taunt you.
     Kasienka is from Poland. She grew up there and thats her true home, where her heart is. But Kasineka and her mum head for England to find their long lost father who abandoned them. She starts school and gets put into a lower class. Finding friends becomes problematic. She feels like an alien amongst them, she has to pay the price for being different. She comes across Claire, who torments her and makes her life even more of a misery. But Kasienka turns to the thing she loves to do most. Where she can escape and move into another world. Flow and twirl in happiness, away from bullies and away from school. She is free and can let go and this is where she feels truly at home. 
    This is the type of books thats gets to your heart and soul and stays there. It teaches you the tough life immigrants face. This story is written in blank verse,  giving it a free feeling and a different style to most books you read. Kanoro was my favourite character. Kanoro is a Kenyan doctor who lives in the next room to Kasienka and her mum. Kanoro provides a ray of light, love, wisdom and kidness to the Polish immigrants.
     Overall, I loved this book. The believable characters, the setting, the theme of refugees, all makes it a memorable and engaging book. I would recommend this book for children aged between 11-14. 

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