To the Other Side

I like this book because some people are at war .I think the pictures really tell the story.I like that this story had a happy ending because some wars don’t have a happy ending and some one has to lose .

Vega

Dovery Academy

To the other side is a story which keeps you on your toes . It’s based in South America and is about a boy and a girl trying to find their way to safety. I love how everything is dark and grey but the masks are bright and colourful for protection from the evil monsters. I recommend this book to anyone havind a bad time.

Benjamin

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side is a superb book about a Young boy and his older sister who have left home to play a game and that game is that they need to travel across endless lands together. I love that every page has its own meaning and its own story to tell, to understand this book you have to see every detail and also every word to see deep into the story. I would recommend this for older ages so as to understand the story's meaning. I would also recommend this to people who might have the same back story to these people in the book. I would aim this at 5+ and a 7.5/10😍🤩🥰🥳

kit

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To the other side is a story about two young refugees who are trying to find safety by travelling a long, long way. I like this story because it shows just how hard it is to find safety. The attention to detail is extraordinary, the masks are just incredible and the use of vibrant colours is amazing and overall is a great book. I would recommend this book to 5+ and a 8.7/10 from me!😀🤩🥳

Ben

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The other side is a Heartwarming story based in South America the story is all about a little girl and her older sister. This is such a wonderful book. The colour variation is just amazing, that's what really drew me in the greys and the yellows and pinks go really well. The illustrator really tried hard with detail and she did astonishingly. I would rate this book a 8\10 and for ages 6+.

Fred

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To the other side is a heart-felt story about a young boy and his older sister, who have left home to play a game, they just need to make it to the finish line to win… As long as she’s fast like a rabbit and he’s brave like a tiger they can make it past the border. Together.I also really love how everything else aside from the bright, colourful masks are black, white and gloomy as they contrast on their faces, the masks hiding the refugees’ true identity. I love how Erika Meza finds a different way to tell the world, even children, about refugees, and what’s happening in different countries. Even after all that happens, the siblings remain together… Overall, I would rate this boom an 8.5/10 ages 9 and over.

Angelica

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To the other side is a book focused on really serious topics like immigration. The pictures really show this with the dark and dull colours to fit the atmosphere. I like the spots for some of the pages. The page at the end where all the bright and colourful colours splurt out of the children’s bags is amazing! Overall I think the book should be 8+ because it may be a bit hard to understand but I'd give it an 8/10.

Niam

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The other side is a book about refugees from mexico that are trying to escape into America away from danger. It is a boy and an older sister which are tying to make it to the other side. The sister tries to make it a game for the small boy to avoid the obstacle but eventually finds it is not a game. I don’t think the book is good for younger people because they might get creeped out by the masks and it is a very serious theme for the people this book is aimed at. 2/10

Josh

Latymer Prep Shadowers

This is a powerful, timely and beautifully illustrated story exploring the journey of 2 young children in search of safety. The idea of the masks that they are wearing contrast with the colours of the landscape so perfectly that I can't explain it. I also like how hiding away from the monsters is associated with playing a game of tag. " Its like tag, if you get caught by the monsters you're out." The meaning behind this story is heart melting and the meaning really is all children deserve safety.

Rose

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side is a heartwarming story about 2 refugees looking for a new home. Erika Meza’s use of black and white colouring, except for colourful masks shows that the masks keep the children happy. The story is one with a hidden meaning, a hidden meaning about refugees and the difficulty of fleeing. The black ‘monsters’ are very well portrayed, constantly looming above, waiting for a catch. My favourite part is probably at the end, when the refugees are safe and sound. This is a lovely book for anyone going through a tough time or a similar situation. I give this book an 8/10!

Maya K

Latymer Prep Shadowers

In my opinion, the other side is not a good book for a young audience and even elders. The illustrations are not that good. Also, it's very serious for young children and I think they should read something happy and exciting.Despite this, the story has is a powerful awareness of how migration impacts people, and the message is wonderful. I would recommend this book to 8+ and definitely not young children. 3/10 for me.

Maxim

Latymer Prep Shadowers

This very grown up topic has been turned into a child-friendly book. It is about a refugee trying to find ‘home’. The characters are wearing masks and I like how each one reflects their personality. I love how the masks are so colourful and creative and how the beautiful colours contrast all the grey negativity so well. These illustrations add the emotions and details which you can’t write in words and I think that these illustrations hold one story by itself. I would say that it is a book for anyone aged 3 and over with a rating of 8/10 from me! Well Done 😃!

Elodie

Latymer Prep Shadowers

This book is SO deep. The story of these children trying to cross the border, trying to cross to the other side. The masks are basically the only pop of colour on the pages, flickering like the last flame of hope, of home. Such a lovely story, this story should be told! Not all stories are super happy sadly, and although this one doesn’t start very jolly it ends with a nice ending. All these children want is a home, a school! A very touching story, which needs to be told more often so the world knows that this is HAPPENING. A lovely 7.7/10 from me! 😄

Eva

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side is a book about a young boy and his sister trying to cross the border from Mexico to America. They walk and take buses and finally arrive in America but it doesn’t feel like home. Then they meet a friend. I like this book because it shows us about the problems like war and children having to escape without their parents. And it makes us aware of what’s happening in the world. The colours are normally very grey apart from the masks. The masks have animals on them to indicate that those animals will protect them or make them strong or fast. My favourite pages were when the boy meets his friend and they start playing with the marbles. I like this because the colours start coming back and this tells us that the children are becoming happy again. I would recommend this book to ages 6+. 10/10!

Nadia

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To the Other Side is about a small boy and his sister, who tells him that they are going to play a game, crossing the border. They wear colourful masks with bright animals to guide and protect them. It is a story that recognises the amount of Mexicans crossing the American border.

James

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To the Other Side is a book about a young boy and his sister who are trying to cross the border to America from Mexico. The boy’s big sister tells him and pretends that this is just a game and they are trying to cross the line first without getting caught by the monsters. At first, the boy thinks that this really is a game and he is quite happy and excited to get there first. But as the journey continues, he finds it too long, too tiring and realises that this may not be a game and that this is something more serious. The colour palette in this book mainly consists of whites, blacks and greys apart from the contrasting Mexican masks that the characters wear and the bright flowers of hope that are dotted around the pages. The Mexican masks that the children wear are meant to symbolise and give them the skills of that animal. For example, a rabbit can give them speed and a tiger might give them strength or bravery which they will need for the journey. Erika did the original sketch of the book on a concertina sketchbook which is a good way to symbolise the journey. I would recommend this book to children 8+ because the theme could be quite distressing for younger children, or they could have gone through the same experience. I would rate this 7.5/10. 🙂

Liberty

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side is about 2 children, an older sister and a younger brother, who are refugees and are trying to cross the border. I love how the bright colours of the Mexican masks contrast with the gloomy grey background. I love how when they have the masks on people think they're the good guys but when they take the masks off they are just ordinary children. I love how the sister tries to protect the younger brother and treats the journey as a game when actually in reality they are on a verge of catastrophe and how this carries on throughout the story. It is horrible how so many children have to face this terrible thing. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what's happening in the world. 9.9/10😃

Daniel

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To the other side is a clever book with a very important moral that has been transformed into a fun game for little children to understand. The story is about two children on a journey to pass the American border to seek refuge. Despite the demanding challenges along the way, the two children work together to overcome them. The masks are very well illustrated and the inspiration behind it is very fascinating. I love how she used different animals to forge a unique mask to amplify the character’s personality. I would recommend this book to anyone above 8 years old because I think that this story is valuable for everybody. 8/10 from me. 👍

Abir

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To the Other Side is one of the saddest stories I have ever read. It is about two sisters who are moving because their country is at war with another one. The sisters make a game of this war and are moving quickly to escape to the USA. I love how the illustrator has used grey colours on everything except the mexican masks the children are wearing.I would recommend this book to anyone 10 years and over and would give it an 8/10.

Reya

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side includes 2 siblings, the older sister and the younger brother. They play a game, avoid the monsters, don’t get caught, and keep moving. Like tag, if you get caught, you’re out. Together, they have to make it across the border into the US. This book is a great and thrilling read. The colour contrast of monotone to warm colours makes an effect on the book. Like April's Garden, it shows how scary the real world can be. I like how the illustrator used watercolours and inks, I like it! I give this book a 9/10 and this book can be for people older than 5 years.

Chelsea

Latymer Prep Shadowers

This book is about two siblings who are playing a dangerous game of crossing a border while running away from the threatening monsters. The contrast of black and white and colourful illustrations is quite clever because nothing is all black and white, there is hope everywhere. This book gives a very important message not only in the words, but in the illustrations too. The masks are all different, symbolizing that everyone has something different to protect them and guide them through hard times. Each character has a different story to tell, where they came from, what they are running from, where they are going. In the book, quite a serious topic is explored, which might affect people’s emotions, depending if they have gone through the same thing or have been through something similar. I have never had to do this great journey, but I can feel through the illustrations how painful and scary it must be. 9/10 from me.

Tara

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To the Other side is a story about two children trying to find a safe home. I understand the seriousness of this book and know that it is not a laughing matter, but I wish there was a bit more humour to it. I also like how when the boy welcomes them into his home - when they feel like they can call it their home - it is like there are flowers coming from both their rucksacks. I think this book is suitable for ages 6+ and I think this book deserves an 8.5/10 😊.

Emilie

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side is a very heartfelt story which depicts a younger brother and older sister travelling to the border as refugees who needed shelter. The older sister tries to calm down her brother and tell him it is all a game and that they had to wear the masks which gave them superpowers and would help them to get to the line. She says that they need to run away from the monsters and that if they touch you then you are out and lose. They have to get to the line (The Border). Over this time the brother gets suspicious that this isn’t a game and finds that out when they were almost at the border. When they finally get there it didn’t feel like they had won… 8.5 out of 10 for me.

Alex

Latymer Prep Shadowers

The Otherside is an exciting book about two kids who are running away from their home as refugees. They wear masks to hide themselves and also to give themselves luck on their journey to a new country. On the way you can see dark monsters trying to get you. I love how the whole book is in grayscale but all of the masks are all in bright colours. At the end, they find a lovely school and they find out they don’t actually need the masks to live. This is a 6/10 and would recommend it to any refugee.

Jensen

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side is an amazing book about a brother and her sister trying to cross the border.My favourite bit of the book is when he shows a friend the “game” that he was taught by her sister.My favourite illustration was when a man gave out all these different masks that would cover their face from the “monster” because there are so many cool patterns and symbols which are so spectacular.I would recommended this book to people 5 and above because if you want to really understand the meaning you need to be older.I Would say 8.9/10.I really enjoyed this book because it felt like i was in their journey.

Oliver S

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side is a meaningful story about two refugee children. I love the illustrations in this book because of the beautiful contrast and mexican art. You can look at every illustration for a while, because the illustrations are just so beautiful. Erika Meza found a way to represent war - not in soldiers, guns, blood, tears - but in something children would actually understand. Something children are scared of, that adults just laugh about. Black, shadowy, monsters. Each mask has a meaning, and every character has spirit and emotion. However, this book isn't one I would really read. The first reason is because of the colour scheme. I love the contrast, but there's too much white for my liking. Another thing is that the story is about war, and personally, my preference is joyful and bright stories. I still like the idea itself, I just suppose I didn't love it as much as the other stories. I would recommend this book to children who have experienced war, have a friend that is going through trauma because of a war, or just want to learn about this topic. A 6/10!

Maya M

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side is the charmingly illustrated story of a brother and sister, as they journey to a border, past the monsters and the bad people and to safety. The grey, dull colours create a sense of seriousness, showing that despite what the sister says, that it isn’t really a game. But the contrast to colourful masks show that the masks offer a positive, protective glow and will guide the children on their way. With wonderfully corresponding illustrations and storyline and the intriguing colour, this book is a magnificent piece of irreplaceable artwork and is bound to draw you in from the very beginning. This book offers protection and relatable characters for anyone who has had to escape something even tiny! I would recommend it to children from ages 5 and up, as it includes some sensitive topics that older children would understand better. 8.2/10 from me.

Derin

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To The Other Side is an imaginative and heartwarming story with lots of colour contrast and lovely illustrations. I love the idea of masks and how it covers the face to give them a sense of encouragement and fun. The topic is a very serious thing and I think that it is great to tell people that children are being separated from their parents or have to escape for a certain reason so then they can help. I recommend this book to people 5-6+ because they need to understand the concept of the story. 🥹

Annabelle

Latymer Prep Shadowers

To the other side is a lovely book about a brother and sister who are migrating out of Mexico. The older sister turns this dangerous journey into a fun game where you have to escape the monsters. I love the fact that everything is so grey and dark except the masks that have a legend of protecting them. They light up the page with their popping colours. But underneath these masks lie just little children, showing us the immensity of the actual problem. I really like the illustrations of the little children and the creativity of the masks. I would recommend the book to 5+ to get the meaning and I will rate this book 8.5 / 10.

Eleonore

Latymer Prep Shadowers

This is an emotional book about two refugees and their quest to find a safe place to call home. I like this book because of the way the illustrations are drawn. It emphasises that they have to travel very far. The masks are very colourful compared to the monsters making them stand out against the bleak background. This is a good book but not for me. I would rate this book 7/10

Louis

Latymer Prep Shadowers

I didn't really like this book. I thought the story was a little confusing and it didn't grab my attention. I also didn’t like the style of illustrations. I find the masks that the children are wearing really unrealistic and I do not like how the children are trying to make a game out of trying to cross the border as refugees because I think that this book is about a very serious topic and it should not be joked about. I understand that it is an important story to share but I just did not get on with the style. Sorry. I would recommend this book to 5+ and I would rate it 4/10.

Olly J

Latymer Prep Shadowers

Paris

Alexandra Readers

To The Other Side is an extremely meaningful story about 2 children, an older sister and a younger brother, who are refugees trying to cross the border to safety. I love how the bright colours of the Mexican masks contrast with the gloomy grey and black background. As Erika Meza said in her video ‘When you take the mask off, they are just children. Children who deserve safety.’ That is the statement running throughout this book, and it is a very important part of the story too. I love how the older sister looks after the younger one and tries to protect him from the danger surrounding them, and how she makes it just a fun game but in reality they are on the verge of catastrophe. Erika Meza has made a serious problem into a fun and beautifully illustrated book although the real meaning still lies behind the colourful masks and words. For this reason I would recommend this book to ages 7 and up and I would give this book an 8.9/10.

Leyla

Latymer Prep Shadowers

Chloe

Southborough Shadowers

Henrietta

Southborough Shadowers

Pascal

Southborough Shadowers

Evie

Southborough Shadowers

April’s garden is a lovely book at first glance but this book holds a secret meaning. Not all who read it realise, but this book is about a girl April and her mother, and though it is not clear why they left their home, we know that they are leaving their homes, and travelling from place to place. The gloomy colours of these illustrations at the start set a gloomy atmosphere, but when the flowers bloom they pop in bright colours on the grey background. Suddenly, everything isn’t so bad for April! The scrapbook style of illustration is incredibly unique, like no other. Not my favourite of books but perfect for children who have connections with April’s life.

Eva

Latymer Prep Shadowers

I quite like this book. It got a bit confusing at first at what was actually going on but I got it in the end. I like the illustrations and they are very unique, and the colours really stand out on the people and masks.

Evelyn

Malvern St James

I like this book because of how much the little girl loves her brother. She said that the shadows which were chasing the children were fake, but they were real. She also said that the journey to the other city was just a game, but that was real too.

myra

Readers are leaders

Vega

Dovery Academy

The book was very good. I like it when the sister said the rules are simple but not for the little brother and they said it was a game but it wasn’t. I like that the sister helped him.

Theo

St Andrew’s Primary Academy

Sam

chatterbox

Muskan

Readers are leaders

Lamine

Our Lady of Lourdes

Hanna

Our Lady of Lourdes

Danish

Our Lady of Lourdes

Fabian

Our Lady of Lourdes

Klay

Our Lady of Lourdes

Nathan

Our Lady of Lourdes

Nandi

Our Lady of Lourdes

Taya

Our Lady of Lourdes

I really liked how they painted in colour and how it looked against the black and white because it really exaggerated the feelings the characters felt.

Maxi

Southborough Shadowers

I think this is such a good book about being strong! It shows that you must have perseverance. Th colours of the masks really stood out because the world around them is grey which I thought was clever.

Henrietta

Southborough Shadowers

Scarlett

SMM Bibliophiles

Eva

Alexandra Readers

I really liked the colourful masks in this book but I didn’t really understand the story and I didn’t know it was about refugees until the end.I think older children will understand it better.

Max

St Andrew’s Primary Academy

Hi i like to the other side because it amazing and the book has a brilliant story to it and it makes me feel like i can play free and fair and honest.

ellah

Holy Trinity Rothwell

I love how they travel some were else and when they get there they are happy 5out of 5

Lydia

Holy Trinity Rothwell

As an immigrant, even though not for the reasons in the book, I still felt really connected to the story that you've brought to us. It's clear that a lot of effort went into the making of this book. It's has a beautiful message. LOVE IT

Joana

St Bede’s Reads

I learned that sometimes you just need to believe in yourself.

RODIYALLAH

Readers are leaders

The rules are simple. Read the words, turn the pages and have fun reading this very empowering book.

Rapha

Roche Readers

really really moving illustrations i loved it!

Astrid

Roche Readers

illustrations and story were beautiful.

Delilah

Roche Readers

I love how the illustrator (Erika Meza) made the pages dark and colourful at the same time. I also love the suspense and how the sister compared this dangerous challenge to a simple game and a game of tag. She says: ''avoid the monsters. Don't get caught and keep moving' and 'if the monsters catch you, you're out.'' Another great feature is how the masks the children wear are animals and they say things like "He can be brave like a tiger" considering his mask is a tiger and "She'll be fast like a rabbit" because her mask is a rabbit. This story, which is beautifully illustrated, explores the journey of two young refugee children in search of safety. Although the journey is difficult and the monsters are more real than they imagined, they still got through it and made it to the end without getting hurt. They also made some friends along the way! I thought this was a brilliantly illustrated book where the use of colour really showed how frightening the journey was for the children and how safe they felt when they had the masks on.

Amelia

Lionel Readers

This book was amazing and the storyline was shown within the pictures and throughout the book it progressively got more and more colourful as the children moved from their frightening journey to a happier life. I really liked the masks as they have so much detail. On the other hand its also has lots of detail in the darker, scarier pages (when the children were on their journey) which I thought was really cool. Overall, I really liked this book which showed what the journey is like for migrating children.

Nolah

Lionel Readers

Rodiyallah

Readers are leaders

Myra

Readers are leaders

The story is a powerful awareness of how migration impact people, and is wonderful, adorned with beautiful illustrations. 6/10

Jewel

Archbishop Temple Carnegie Award group

I read this book to my brother. This is the review he wrote, 'I liked the pictures and I now know that the book is about kids running away from bad guys.'

Sophie

Archbishop Temple Carnegie Award group

I like the illustrations in this book, I love the way the main illustrations are in colour yet the danger is clearly shown in black ink.

Isla

Rebel Readers

To the Other Side is a great book with a very serious and sensitive story. It has a nice art style and I particularly thought the colour palette was very effective and reminded me of Mexico. I would recommend.

Michael

Rebel Readers

I thought the impact was very memorable because it's about refugees who travel the world to find better places to live and I think the author presented it really well. The pictures and colours matched well with the story especially the colours, I thought the colours were really unique because the things that pop out the most were black and the detail actually poped out the most because of the colours and I thought really good and fitted in well with the story.

Avabella

Malvern St James

The Impact to me would be 5/5, I would definetely share the book because it really makes you think about what is happening in the story. The Artistic Style to me is 3/5, because not all of the colours have been used and I would prefer a variety, I also think that the black and white really make it stand out. The Use Of Images to me is 5/5, because the pictures are really gentle in the start and end and more lively towards the middle then gentle again at the end. The Format to me is 5/5, because the words are displayed really well and go along side the pictures so you can see really well what picture's what. I absolutely love this book and would recommend it to anyone!

Alice

Malvern St James

This book reminds me of the relationship I have with my younger brother and is a really good picture to have

Mahinor

Bellerive Bookies and Cookies

Aisha

MoorReading

Maisie

MoorReading

Sammy

Prettygate Junior School

Overall a great book but the monsters are a bit scary for little kids, I really liked the train page and the contrast between the dark and light. It sends a clear message that's not hard to miss. 7/10

Mya

Rebel Readers

Overall, I though this was a great book. For me though, I thought the monsters are a bit scary for little kids. I really liked the train page and the contrast between the dark and light. It sends a clear message, that's not hard to miss. 7/10

Mya

Rebel Readers

'To the Other Side' has a really good storyline and the words fit together with it so well. I don’t really understand why they are all wearing masks, especially as they take them off at the end. I think that some of the pages might be a bit scary if a little child was reading it but it was a really good book.

Poppy S

Norwich High School Bookworms

I'm not sure if this book was memorable or not, because I think there should've been more of it to make sense. The colours in the illustrations were great, but there could have been more in general. The storyline is good but I don't think it made much sense. I'd give this a 4.9/10.

Audrey

Malvern St James

I am not to keen on this book. I thought it was a bit odd and the drawing weren't as good as the book I read before. This book did have a strong message about refugees but I prefer different types of books. I give this book 5/10

Iona

Malvern St James

"To The Other Side" is a very meaningful and powerful story of two refugee children turning their dangerous journey into a game. It's very memorable and my friends and I enjoyed the book. I think the bright colourful masks are meant to represent some form of hope and optimism, as well as covering the refugees' fear. The illustrations make the stories come alive and bring a lot of emotions to the table. Overall, I would give it a 10 out of 10.

Rosa

Malvern St James

This book is so memorable and it makes me feel scared, frightened and shocked. This makes me feel like those emotions because I am shocked at the way this kids get treated, some have to leave their families and others have lost them during war. The pictures are so amazing and I love the way the masks are the only thing on coloured. My friends and I think that the masks represent them hiding there fear. I absolutely love the message it is so powerful. I give this book a 10/10

Katy

Malvern St James

I love the books it has a meaningful message I would give this back a five out of five I like all the pictures. It is sad to think how people are treated.

Amelia

Malvern St James

I loved To The Other Side, it was fantastic! I love how the masks are so colourful and how the flowers appear in this book. My favourite part is where the boy makes a friend and doesn't use his mask but the girl still holds on to hers as she is still unsure in this new country. Keep up the great work :)

David

Rebel Readers

This book is about two refugees trying to find a safe place to live! I like how the sister makes it fun for the baby by playing a game I would recommend this to anyone.

Rhea

Bispham Bookworms

The story was nice but I think that the moral of the story was hidden too much. I like how they all wear masks. My younger sister really enjoyed it because of the boy in the end of the story has a cute mask. I would recommend this to younger children in key stage 1.

William

St Andrew’s Primary Academy

Megan

BFS Umbra

Prettygate Book Club

Prettygate Junior School

I like the illustrations and the great use of bright colours. Also I like the style of the masks.9/10!

Sammy

Prettygate Junior School

I like 👍 it because it Has so many people in it. I give it a 10.10

Stanislav

Prettygate Junior School

An interesting style to describe the battle that refugees face in trying to find a new home. I really enjoyed it.

Michael

Farleigh bibliomaniacs

It is about some children going on a journey to find a new home, somewhere safe .The pictures are good but they are a bit scary because you can't see their faces it is a cool book. I really like the pictures.

M

Big Bookworms

Sarah

Readers are leaders

I like how the children say that journeying to a new country is a game with challenges.

sarah

Readers are leaders

Amelia

Woore Book Club

In my opinion, I think this book makes you think about what you have and how lucky you are. But sometimes that could all change and it could change to be your sibling or family facing your greatest fears and not giving up.

Amelia

Woore Book Club

Honestly, this was one of my favourite books on the illustration shortlist because it's a story based on children around the world who experience unpleasant things nobody should ever experience. Nobody.

Ayse

Bispham Bookworms

I really loved reading this book because of how it was based on real life as two refugees go on a journey to find safety. I think it's a lovely book with a very important message and would happily recommend it to anyone.

Evelyn

Bispham Bookworms

To The Other Side is my favourite book out of all the books because it is based on real life refugees on how they need to cross the American border to find a new home and to be safe but also to find new friends. Which is why this is my favourite book.

Joshua

Bispham Bookworms

This was a really moving book, I really loved it! Also I love the way the sister pretended it was a game.

Farha

Bispham Bookworms

I really liked the vibrant colours used in To The Other Side. I loved all the different masks in it. The one thing that stood out for me, was on the wall near the border between Mexico and the USA, it said in Spanish, "tambien de este lado hay suenos" which translates in English to "also on this side there are dreams" I really liked that message. I would rate this book 9/10.

Jennifer

Rebel Readers

Aarav

Bispham Bookworms

I think the book was amazing one of the best would recommend now I understand more how much refuges go through.

Daniel

Bramcote College Bookclub

My thoughts on this book is its a very understanding book and at some parts emotional , and it helps you understand and learn how refuge's live and migrates live and the pictures are really amazingly drawn and layed out and the choice of words makes you feel how the refuge's feel this book would be really important to younger children to understand how refuge's feel and what the have experienced.

Evie-May

Bramcote College Bookclub

I liked the book because it is based on a true story and the had to fight for there freedom and risk a lot of things. I think it is very inspirational.

Finlay

Bramcote College Bookclub

I thought this book was like all the other books I read but when I read the book I felt the emotions of how other people would leave all they loved and all they cared about to go to other countries to start a new life to leave everybody who cared about them to live with other people they don't know or liked just because of all the damages happening.

Viana

Bramcote College Bookclub

I liked this book because it taught me lots of different things about children who have no choice and have to leave home.

Harry

Bramcote College Bookclub

This wonderful book is beautifully written and illustrated , the characters and the speech really did move my heart.

Lyra

Bispham Bookworms

I did not like this book because there was some kids getting grabbed and I think this book will be for 11 yeas old. The pictures were colourful.

hayden

Brooke Weston Book Busters

I do not recommend it because it was upsetting and stressful because of the pictures and the story that goes with it. I only recommend for more grown up people as it is drastic and it was scary. 14+

Lucienne

Brooke Weston Book Busters

I liked the brightly coloured masks.

Ella

Bramcote College Bookclub

I really liked the the story about how the writer shared her story about being a migrant because it gave me and the readers a chance to kind of experience what the children went through . The illustrating was really good.

Daisy

Bramcote College Bookclub

I like it because it is intense and good. I liked the Mexican masks.

Chace

Bramcote College Bookclub

The book is good to learn and read about because the story it gives is about refugees that we have loads of in England. The pictures are also good to look at and match the text of the story.

Evie

Bramcote College Bookclub

I thought the book was nice and sends a out message . I really liked the pictures and colors she used . I enjoyed the book.

Frankie

Bramcote College Bookclub

I thought the book was good because it was saying how people are living and that it's not good. So it's showing awareness of REFUGEES.

Preston

Bramcote College Bookclub

I loved how the intention behind this book is somewhat disguised much like the characters are. At first, it seems to be a book of magic, enchantment and imagination but about halfway through you realise the undertones and real message behind the characters’ journey. I would thoroughly recommend ‘To the Other Side’ as it is meaningful, thought-provoking and made me stop and think.

Mr D

Woore Book Club

I like to the other side because it got lots of pictures . I would give it 9 out of 10 . This should be suitable for 6-9 year old . I like the book because the word match the pictures. One of the thing I like about book is that the illustrator use lots of colours in the background. Also like it when some of the colour come together . The illustrations are beautiful with such striking colours.

Megan

Barrow Bookworms

This book was great and subtlety shows the terror that refugees have to go through. I did not understand why they were wearing masks, but I am sure that the reason why is a reason that would make sense. I would rate this book 8 out of 10. I believe that to push it to a ten out of ten, it would need some more beautiful illustrations. Since this book has some very subtle meanings, I would say that this book is suitable for 7 to 10 year olds.

Declan

Barrow Bookworms

I like this book because it tells me about how refugees struggle to find safety which makes me want to take action and help lots more refugees. I highly rate this book. This story is about two refugees who wear masks (in the illustrations and metaphorically) and seek out safety. I recommend this book to people who like stories about real life struggles.

Aarav

Bispham Bookworms

A beautiful book about refugees. I loved this book. Totally recommend this book!

Ursula

Bispham Bookworms

To the Other Side, is a very colourful book with vibrant pink and orange colours. It will appeal to both children and adults. The theme of the migrant crisis was clear and at the end we have hope of a better life, once they cross the border. It is very detailed and I like how clearly the illustrator told their story in such a vibrant way. My favourite part of the book is the drawing of the spindly black monsters! I rate this book 9/10.

Ailise

Rebel Readers

I love how they use the pictures to portray the dangerous journeys of crossing borders

Ornella

Brooke Weston Book Busters

This book was beautifully illustrated, you could tell a story just using the art made for this book. Loved it :)

Aimee

Reading allowed

I really liked the colour palette in this book as it does catch the eye when you see it. The masks were very effective. A solid 10/10 for this book!

Emilie

Rebel Readers

YP

Back to the Drawing Board

YP

Back to the Drawing Board

YP

Back to the Drawing Board

YP

Back to the Drawing Board

Mrs Birkett’s Class

Stanwix School

This book was quite a sad depressing story at the start as the children had to leave their home. It has a very powerful meaning that really touched my heart. The illustrations were very good. I liked the way the book had lots of grey images to signify fear. The masks had very strong colours like pink, red and yellow, Overall, I would give this book a 7/10.

Eimear

Rebel Readers

This book was excellent. I quite enjoyed looking at all the colourful pictures in the book and yet still reading the story. This book is definitely one of my favourites. 8 1/2 /10 ;) :)

Emy kelly

Rebel Readers

The book was very good book. It will make children less scared of what comes next in life and the ending was so heart warming when the little boy found a friend. It was a very interesting take on what children face when they are forced to leave their home to seek a better life in another country. I love how protective the older sister is with her brother. All the kids threw their masks away but she kept hers as she is still afraid of this new and unfamiliar life.

Ciarrai

Rebel Readers

I loved reading this book and found it really interesting. The story made me think about how difficult life can be for children who are refugees, who are forced to leave their homes to find safety. The illustrations of the children in the book, were always bright and colourful and this made me think that this inspires hope for children who are refugees. I really loved the Mexican masks.

Helen

Barrow Bookworms

I loved the book to the other side its an interesting story book i will give it a five ***** stars the illustrations blew me away the where a lot of colours

Micheal

Orpington Library Chatterbooks Group

The book and its illustrations are a great way to get people to understand what refugees have to go through. The illustrations and use of masks in the book, remind me of the Day of the Dead festival in Mexico and I think that's where the children are fleeing from and going to America. The illustrations throughout the book are mainly black and white, dull and dreary, representing the fear and darkness they are trying to escape from. The mix of colour and grey is very good at projecting hope through out the book, there is still hope for the two children on their journey. There's rather a lot of symbolism in the illustrations for example, whenever they are fleeing the monsters on the train, the monsters capturing some of the children's companions, seems to say they might have died or been killed by the threat on the journey. There's a pattern of lines repeated throughout the story from the front cover to the back and it seems to symbolise barriers that they are trying to escape. The illustrations captured the tense feeling of the book by portraying the monsters as almost inescapable, having them hidden throughout the illustrations, taking over houses, capturing people and every time they think they've escaped them, they come back again catching up on them. I had to reread the book a few times to fully grasp the symbolism of the illustrations. I would recommend this book, it is a very powerful book and the illustrations are instantly eye catching.

Rosellen

Rebel Readers

This book's illustrations really put the reader into the protagonists perspective, and really draws you into the story. I loved the mix of black and grey illustrations with coloured images. The monster drawings were really creepy, even though I knew they weren't real. There is hope at the end but the elder sister is still unsure they are actually safe because she is still holding on to her mask unlike her brother who is completly assured and is not wearing his mask at the end.

Rosellen

Rebel Readers

To the Other Side is an amazing book with a fascinating story to tell. On the front cover it may seem like a colourful children’s book but when you take a look inside it’s a whole lot different. I wouldn’t recommend it for younger children; mainly because of the pictures inside. It tells the story of a young boy and his sister escaping from monsters. The monsters aren’t real - they represent the dangers that refugees face in their countries. I give it 5 stars *****

Jacqueline

St James Hatcham Book Club