Girl Haven

Lilah Sturges — 2021

Three years ago, Ash's mom, Kristin, left home and never came back. Now, Ash lives in the house where Kristin grew up. All of her things are there. Her old room, her old clothes, and the shed, where she spent her childhood creating a fantasy world called Koretris. Ash knows all about Koretris: how it's a haven for girls, with no men or boys allowed, and filled with fanciful landscapes and creatures. When Ash's friends decide to try going to Koretris, using one of Kristin's spell books, Ash doesn't think anything will happen. But the spell works, and Ash discovers that the world Kristin created is actually a real place, with real inhabitants and very real danger. But if Koretris is real, why is Ash there? Everyone has always called Ash a boy. Ash uses he/him pronouns. Shouldn't the spell have kept Ash out? And what does it mean if it let Ash in?

Reviews

chloe mcpherson@randombookhoarder

Feb 8, 2022

Netgalley copy Review Girl Haven by Lilah Sturges 3.5/5 'A boy is one kind of story, A girl is another kind. And they are but two of many stories. What folly to think that the complete works of humanity would fit on two shelves! Each one bending under the weight of all the books it tries to contain.' Ash grew up hearing stories about Koretris, a fantasy world that his mother created, a haven for girls where no boys or men allowed. 3 years ago Ash's mother Kristin went missing. One evening as Ash, his crush Eleanor and their friends Chloe are all transported to Koretris, a girls-only imaginary world, Ash must come to terms with the fact that he may actually be a transgender girl. Overall this is a cute little story, a great book for middle graders to learn about gender identity. Short and sweet and the illustrations were cute, glad I picked this one up.

tori 👻@persefonitas

Jun 15, 2024

Melissa Railey@melrailey

Jan 18, 2024

Nico N.@teastime

Apr 21, 2023

Amy L Hamilton@amyl60

Nov 25, 2021

mollie hughes@goblinmollie

Nov 19, 2021

Abi Baker@wicdiv

Sep 30, 2021