A Girl Called Joy

This very much feels like a book of the moment. At a time when our children are facing a new way of life and an uncertain future, this might be just the book they need to help them find their own silver lining.
Jenny Valentine brilliantly describes Joy's feelings of being adrift and overwhelmed by the experience of starting school and facing a world so far away from everything she's ever known. Her resilience and determination to look on the bright side is like a warm hug in book form. I didn't want it to end and would have loved to follow Joy's journey further.
A reassuring read that injected some much-needed joy into my day and left me feeling positive and inspired.
Brilliant for fans of the Hope Jones books and those who need a little lift.

A heartwarming and uplifting story about finding the silver lining in the toughest of situation. I devoured this book and finished it in a day. It left me feeling very delighted and satisfied. It was quick and simple yet very meaningful. The story follows our bright optimistic protagonist, Joy, who is used to moving around the globe for as long as she can remember. However her family decides to settle down with her grandad. This is a big change for Joy and her sister Claude. The author explores themes of being carefree and joyful through the toughest of situations such as settling into a new school, saving a beloved tree and making friends. A very heart-felt and refreshing read that I definitely recommend!

Silver linings are something Joy is very good at finding. She and her family have been travelling her whole life and she is a hugely positive person. She loves nature, learning new things and making new friends regardless of language and culture.

When the family move back to England, Joy struggles to find the silver linings. Living with Grandad is tough and full of rules, she doesn’t fit in at school and is constantly in trouble with the teacher.

As a former teacher, my heart went out to Joy. Having never been to school, I can’t imagine how hard it was to figure out such a system. Friendship groups already established, more rules and less playtime. Joy is not coping well though her teacher doesn’t seem to be either. When a friend finally appears from around the old oak tree, Joy finally finds her silver lining at school.

Benny is a cool kid and they share a love for the oak tree. When plans are announced for it to be cut down to make way for a new school, the bond of friendship strengthens and they have a shared plan to save the tree. Perhaps their teacher also has a vested interest?

A heart felt family story with a young girl looking for silver linings every day. A lesson we all need to learn- things will change and it will be hard but there are positives if you look properly. Joy is a charming character, and her zest for life is brilliant. Her sister Claude, has the bored teenager act down perfectly and their grumpy grandad may finally get used to the family living altogether, especially once his historical society get involved with saving the tree.

With nature, friendship and finding your feet at the heart of this story. It won’t disappoint. I hope there will be more from Joy!

This book is just like a warm hug. Joy is able to find the silver linings in even the most unlikely of places and she lives up to her name on every page. It has fun, family, friendship and enough adventure to keep everyone engaged. I hope that this book finds its way onto every school bookshelf as we have never needed Joy quite as much as we do now. I am so looking forward to going on more adventures with this wonderful new character.

Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for a cosy, inspiring afternoon of reading.

Joy always looks for the silver linings, but when her family has to leave their carefree, nomad life to move back to a grey house in England, she finds this much more difficult.

Things in England aren't easy for Joy, something she's not used to, and she finds herself in trouble an awful lot. Until she makes a friend and finds a purpose - saving a 1000 year old oak tree from being destroyed.

Joy is just that - a bit of Joy. Not a long book, this story shows the importance of positivity and of standing up for what you believe in, even if you think you can't make a difference. I'd love to see more of Joy, Benny and the rest in more adventures very soon!

This is such a joyful read and one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Readers will identify with Joy as she adjusts to her new life and the changing relationship with her older sister. This is a story for anyone who knows how it feels to not fit in, or who feels it is their job to keep the plates spinning.

Super cute & uplifting, Joy will add a little sparkle to classroom bookshelves. Empowering & thought-provoking, Joy is an endearing voice for the mis-fits, those from the 'school of life' & the Greta's of the future. Looking forward to the rest of the series!

Joy has spent her whole life with her family, travelling around the world. She’s seen some incredible places but she’s never been to school. When family circumstances force them to return to live in the UK, she has a hard time adjusting, especially to life at school. It is only once she has made a friend that things begin to improve.

I really liked the style of writing which kept the story moving at a good pace and enabled the reader to see things from Joy’s perspective. A great, uplifting, easy read.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

What a beautiful character Joy is! And such an interesting premise. I really had to think carefully about whether to send my children to mainstream school after reading this. The plot felt a little tacked on, and the ending maybe a little neat, but the build-up was incredible.