Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 7 Up-Kaufman initially shared her poetry on Instagram as a means of catharsis. The poems here are raw and, as the poet acknowledges, sometimes repetitive as she seeks again and again to make sense of where her sunny childhood cut off and the cloud of mental illness descended. Yet the repetition by no means defines the verse, nor makes it less powerful, but rather underlines the resiliency required for her journey. The poems, paired with spare, yet evocative drawings by Bryksenkova, address self-harm, scarring early sexual encounters, internal conflict over the need to medicate, and many other realities of mental illness for teens. Kaufman's willingness to share and artfully articulate her vulnerability has already proved vitally important for the legions of followers she's garnered as an "Instapoet," and will now prove similarly validating and empowering for those teens who discover her work through print. This collection is an auspicious debut and while the verse will speak truth to stressed teens, even a short dip into Kaufman's online presence shows evidence of an important voice well beyond the realm of this collection. -VERDICT Undoubtedly, Kaufman's readers-new and old-will be clamoring for more. A top addition to YA poetry collections.-Jill Heritage Maza, Montclair Kimberley Academy, NJ © Copyright 2018. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
A collection of short, emotionally honest poems divided into four sections chronicle Instagram-famous teenage poet Kaufman's journey from the darkness of depression, self-harm, and abusive relationships to recovery and empowerment. Specific traumas are left fairly vague, allowing teen readers to imagine their own hurts along with the author's and feel less alone. Occasional spot drawings punctuate the text. (c) Copyright 2019. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A teenage girl uses writing to heal from sexual assault and depression in this collection of poems in four parts.Kaufman, who has an active presence on Instagram as @poeticpoison, dedicates her book to "anyone terrified that it won't get better." In Part 1, the narrator is in full crisis mode, searching online for the suicide hotline and answers to questions about depression and anxiety: "I am going stir crazy / inside my skull, / peeling off the wallpaper / with short, bitten nails." In Part 2, the narrator describes writing as a way to find herself and face what happened to her ("I said I guess, I said / I'm scared, I said if you want to, I said I don't / think I can do this"). She ponders what her diagnosis of depression and anxiety means for future relationships. In Part 3, she has more help and support: "the wounds have healed / and the scars are fading." Her emergence from depression ("the sadness isn't as / comforting as it used to be") is perhaps most poignant. In Part 4, she speaks of therapy and medication and ends with self-love and the beauty of survival. Debut author Kaufman's voice is authentic, and her experiences, feelings, and journey toward healing are convincing. Black-and-white illustrations enhance the text.This book could be a lifeline for survivors and provide insight for others. (Poetry. 13-18) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
