Today my review is written slightly different, Ms Winter’s new book, Jemima Small Versus the Universe really resonated with me and what better way than writing a letter to the main character. I really enjoyed this and I hope you do too. Tamsin’s new book is out in July so make sure you pre-order a copy because you won’t want to miss this one.
Jemima Small Versus the Universe by Tamsin Winter Published by Usborne Publishing Ltd on July 11, 2019
Genres: Contemporary
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Jemima Small just wants to be like other girls. She hates being called "Jemima Big", being forced to join the school health group - aka Fat Club - and that she can't apply for her favourite TV show without worrying everyone will laugh. But she also knows that the biggest stars in the universe are the brightest. So maybe it's her time to shine.
A brilliantly funny and touching new novel exploring big issues of bullying, body confidence and, most importantly, learning how to be happy with who you are.
Dear Jemima,
I read your story Jemima Small and you are truly an inspiration. Your creator, Miss Winter is a beautiful writer to embrace everything about you, to show that we may have flaws but its what’s inside you that’s what really matters, that makes you shine.
In the beginning it was hard for me to see you to be singled out to go to a ‘exclusive’ club, your greatest skill, being smarter, a bright spark is overlooked, outshined because your swim suit was just that bit too small, with parents sniggering in public places and bullies calling you ‘Jemima Big’. You grappled with your own body thinking, feeling that you don’t deserve to go and sign up to compete in your favourite show, Brainiacs.
If it wasn’t for people like Luna and Gina being there supporting you, pushing you to be you, to be the person you love to be smart, unafraid of what people think. It takes courage, a lot of it, it takes guts and it takes the people you love to make you realise that.
Jemima you embraced your identity and who you are. You made me realise that we may have flaws and like me who isn’t the slimmest, like me who at times feel self-conscious of yourself, that we have negative moments about our body. We want to be thinner or certain body type, but if we worry about that we are sacrificing our own happiness. I could tell when you competed in Brainiacs, that’s the person you aspire to be. You are bold and beautiful inside and out and you’re making readers like me be inspired to feel comfortable and confident in your skin, in your own style. Your experience, made me realise to love ourselves and be proud of who we become.
Jemima it’s what we have that makes us different, stand out from the crowd and when people see past that then you found your true self. Your story won’t just live on through girls your age, it will live on through readers and librarians as you’ve inspired so many.
Yours truly,
Emma, a dear reader.
Thank you Ms Winter’s for creating such a poignant and heartfelt story and embracing and capturing body positivity in its entirety, the good and the ugly. But remember to stay true to yourself, your style and be happy. Jemima Small is a force of bright, bold and beautiful nature for all readers.
