OCTOBER, OCTOBER

OCTOBER, OCTOBER by Katya Balen

October, October by Katya Balen is the story of October, an 11-year-old girl who lives off the grid with her dad in the woods outside of London, England. Named after the month she was born, October and her father love the solitude, the wonder of nature (October rescues an owlet who becomes her constant companion), and the idea of living off the land.

October's mother is still alive. She lived the secluded life with them once but hit a point, when October was young, when she couldn't handle the lifestyle anymore. She packed up to move back to London. Trying to take October with her, October, as a toddler, fought not wanting to leave her wooded home. Her mother agreed to leave her in the surroundings she loved so much with her father. Since then, October has held a bitter spot in her heart towards her mother for leaving. Every time her mother comes and visits she runs away and hides. One of these times her father follows her and climbs the tree October has hid herself in. He ends up falling from the tree and is hospitalized for a long time. While she waits to find out if her father will recover, October has no choice but to move to London with her mother. Everything is loud and stinky and she struggles with it all. (Think of a modern day Jungle Book story.) In the middle of it all is the fact that the city is no place for her precious owlet

HEADS UP-

SPOILER ALERT

October has a very vivid imagination. She is constantly making up stories. She has some special rocks that she does deem her healing rocks and she leaves them with her dad in his hospital room. The book never gives credit to the rocks for the recovery her father makes. It honestly felt like a child giving something that is important to her to her injured father.

This story is a story of redemption and forgiveness within a relationship. While the family never comes back together as a unit, they remain committed to each other.

I really fell in love with this story while reading it. It is complicated and a bit messy. October is coming from the wild and has never been around society. She melts down and screams on many occasions. There is a lot of bitterness. At one point she whispers that she hates her mom and her mom hears it. But then there is a turning point. A bridge begins to form and a terrible accident leads to healing in more ways than one!