Paper Lanterns is an Irish literary journal, published three times a year. They provide content for teens and young adults, which includes artwork, poetry and book reviews, with a platform for adults to contribute too.

I’ve worked with Paper Lanterns on previous occasions and now, once again, I had the amazing opportunity to contribute to their newest issue, no. 13.

I’ve reviewed ‘Grapefruit Moon’ novel, written by Shirley-Anne McMillan, which you can read on the journal’s website, as well as below.

A tale of two people trying to navigate (in their own, unique way), through social conduct of secondary school environment, to try and fit in.

A tale of two, seemingly very different, people, which through a drag show, slam poetry and a trip to Spain, seek out a future path for themselves, not realising their actions lead them to one another.

No matter how far apart at times they seem however, Charlotte and Drew have one thing in common from the very start, and that’s Adam – Charlotte’s ex and Drew’s only hope of receiving a university scholarship.

Taking place in Northern Ireland, ‘Grapefruit Moon’ explores a variety of topics, from your day-to-day school endeavours to harsher struggles relating to socio-economical and gender division. These are hard topics to cover at the best of times, but I feel the author did so successfully, and more importantly, with tact. Her writing style is gripping, and the pacing of the story well thought out – had a hard time putting the book down. The characters were a blast to get to know, I particularly enjoyed the secondary characters, which doesn’t happen often. However, it adds a little more depth to the storyline and helps to develop the main protagonists.

Funny at times, real always – this novel reminded me of the joys, and the sorrows, of secondary school, acknowledging the struggles it can bring but also the hope we carry in response.

A thought-provoking and extremely heartfelt read, well worth checking out.

Buzzwords/Trigger Warning: Teenage Pregnancy, Revenge Porn, Peer Pressure