This is a beautiful book that reminded me why I love children's literature so much. It's about feeling isolated and as though you are trapped on the outside, looking in on everyone else who seem to find it so easy, something anyone of any age can wholly relate to. Anna is a fully realised character with faults and honest feelings, most of which I feel everyone has felt at some point in their youth. She deeply dislikes herself and all of her thoughts and actions feel true to her age.

Not a lot of people (so far as I know) have read let alone heard of this book; I only became familiar with it after watching Studio Ghibli's 2015 film adaptation. The book reads like a staple in children's literature, feeling at home sidled next to titles such as Goodnight Mister Tom and The Secret Garden. It handles some truly intriguing, important themes and I really hope more readers pick this up.