The Million Pieces of Neena Gill: Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2020 Kindle Edition

The Million Pieces of Neena Gill by Emma Smith-Barton a five-star read everyone should read. This is a powerful read, it is filled with topics that will surprise ad upset at times, but overall there is so much to hear that you need to finish it even when at times you don’t know if you can. But don’t read my words and think euggh dark and depressing, it’s not its powerful and sweet at times. This is definitely one that will divide opinion, most will love it, but I am sure there will be some that won’t get the underlying story and won’t enjoy it. I just hope you go in with an open mind and enjoy this amazing story.

This book was a wonderful read. It takes you in to the emotions of the characters and place immediately. It will transport you in a beautiful and powerful way. You can't help but fall for the characters. The subject of mental health is important to discuss and robustly blossoms within the context of this book. It's fiction based on everyday occurrences that affect countless people. It would be a great gift for young adults and adults who are young at heart.

From the moment I picked up this book, I couldn't put it down. Neena is a British-Pakistani teenager whose mental health rapidly declines throughout the course of the novel, following her brother’s disappearance. It is a heart-wrenching story about grief and the writing style mirrored Neena's state of mind so perfectly.Neena broke my heart and I think it's because her characterisation was so thoroughly explored by the author. So much so, that I felt like I was right there with her, witnessing and understand how her mental state spirals out of control. In addition, this story took me back to my own teenage years and all the angst that came with that period. It packs a serious emotional punch and as well as teens themselves, it is a great story for parents of teenagers to read. Even with all the emotion, it's also a hopeful story and as well as Neena's vulnerabilities, demonstrates her strength of character too.The book also handles complex themes such as culture, first love, friendship, family and all the pressures of life that teenagers generally feel. The exploration of mental illness is one of the most authentic I've ever read and if this is Emma Smith-Barton's debut, then I can't wait to read what more she has in store for us in the future!

Not usually a reader of YA fiction but this story sucked me in and I read it one afternoon. You might need a few tissues as it gets emotional! But with a character like Neena you care about her and want her to feel better and get help! A really accurate portrayal of UK teenage life, emotions and relationships. A great passage where Mum and Neena are having a conversation and both avoiding talking about their problems felt so awkward and true to life. I liked the writing style, using one word sentences at times to give emphasis. Cute. Punchy.If this raises awareness of mental health issues in young adults or older adults like me, then it's only a good thing. Worth a read.

I loved Nina's background, highlighting elements of different home rules and traditional values teenagers experience; an absolutely thrilling and powerful story

Neena’s life is falling apart, her brother is missing, her mum won’t leave the house and her dad is breathing down her neck, checking she is revising and restricting what she can do. She is also trapped between British and Pakistani cultural expectations.This novel is a great exploration of family life and mental health.

This book captured the reality of mental health, and the reality of what the people around them deal with too. She done an amazing job of drawing the reader in to feel and understand what a person truly experiences.