Name: The Girl on the Tube
Rating: 4.2 (5 reviews)

A realistic, contemporary novel for teens from a biblical worldview

Twelve-year-old Addie Brown wants to fit in. But ever since she and her dad moved from small town America to bustling London, life is as bumpy as the Tube she rides to school. Addie’s cranky neighbour tells her off but then invites her to tea! It seems as if Addie’s best friend in America has already forgotten all about her. Worst of all, Addie’s dad doesn’t seem any happier than before, even though moving across the pond was his crazy idea.

But the biggest mystery Addie encounters is the lady in the green hat. Who is she? And why does she appear on the train when Addie is missing home – and her mom – the most?

Selected endorsements:

"This gripping story speaks of the common teenage experience of searching for deep friendships and real belonging. I was cheering for Addie the whole way through - just like I cheer for my daughter. The Gospel is in there!"

Ed Drew, Director of Faith in Kids

“Amazing! Five stars! Addie is a very relatable character and the book captures the feelings of a newly-moved tween.”

Autumn-Rayne, age 14

Check out our other children's fiction from a biblical worldview

A great read for:

Ages 12 - 16
Those who enjoy realistic fiction

Key features:

Themes of grief and growing up
Mysterious story with plot twists
Explores the cross-cultural experience of moving to the UK

Title

The Girl on the Tube
Author(s)

Rachel Allord
Series

Addie Brown
ISBN

9781916669154
Format

eBook
Publisher

Reformation Lightning
Age Range

12-14s, 15-18s
Topic

Emotions, Suffering & Loss
Audience

Youth
Pages

192
Published

05/06/2024

Download a sample

Overall rating

4.2 based on 5 reviews

A story of grief, belonging, and friendship

Belonging. Loss. Grief. And friendship. These are the themes of this young adult book, which is the first in a newer series. Readers follow Addie Brown as she moves across the world to London, navigating the challenges of finding her place in a new city while grieving what she’s left behind. Addie is being raised by her single father after her mother passed away a few years prior. I really enjoy young adult stories like this because they take me back to my own teenage years. This is the kind of book I would have loved as a girl—and I still enjoy it as an adult. A mysterious woman in a green hat appears throughout the story, adding intrigue, and I suspect book two will explore her more deeply. There are some moments where Addie disobeys her father and isn’t always respectful, rolling her eyes and talking back, but these actions carry consequences and opportunities for reconciliation. Language is mild, with only occasional words like “stupid” or “rats.” She forms a friendship with her elderly neighbor, and while it starts a bit rocky, it develops into something meaningful. Faith elements are subtle. The characters pray a few times, and Addie befriends a girl from Iran who moved to London because of her family’s faith in God. There are also references to Thanksgiving, explaining why Americans celebrate it and encouraging gratitude for God’s goodness. I would love to see Addie's faith develop and wish there was more about God. One quote that stood out: "It's like you've been divided into pieces, like a human jigsaw puzzle, and pieces of you are scattered all over or missing. It's okay now. Our apartment sort of feels like a home, but my old house still feels like home, too. Both places are home because both places hold pieces of me." Addie is encouraged to grieve her mother’s death and her move, but also to allow herself to experience joy when it comes, an important reminder about balancing sorrow and hope. * I received a copy of this book for my honest thoughts from the publisher.

Zorina

A touching and relatable story about growing up

“It’s a bumpy ride, I know. Chin up. You’re going to make it. You’re going to be alright.”

🌷About the Book…
Addie is a 12 year old girl whose life has been totally uprooted in a cross-cultural move. Leaving her beloved Wisconsin behind for the bustling and loud London, this story explores the experience of a tween desiring to belong and find a place to call home, while feeling like a human jigsaw puzzle with pieces of her heart trailing behind her, and the most crucial pieces, lost to eternity. But Addie is determined, resilient and curious. Who is the mysterious lady in the green hat who shows up on the tube? And why does she arrive at the right moment when Addie is missing her home, and her mum the most?

This is a touching and relatable story about growing up, finding a place to belong and learning to embrace our lives, even through the unexpected.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Teen Fiction
Themes: Emotions, Suffering & Loss, Belonging, Home, Growing Up
Age: 10- 16 years
CW: Bullying, Dead parent

🌷What I Liked…
Addie Brown is such a relatable leading character. I found myself cheering her on and wanting to see her succeed. The author does a brilliant job of tackling common tween/teen issues, and Addie’s hair issues - which mask so many deeper issues - is the most tender and relatable part of her. I could see so much of my young self in this sweet, somewhat selfish, and heartbroken young heroine who just wants to be loved and accepted for who she is.

🌷This Book is for you if
You’re into realistic fiction with a dash of mystery. While I’d say this is a mostly character driven story, it strikes a nice balance between character and plot progression as the story twists and turns. This book covers important topics that can be heavy, however the writing style is casual and Rachel is delicate when addressing these topics. Overall, it’s a great story for a tween or teen to relax into.

Renee @blossomingthroughbooks

A Heartwarming London Tale About Embracing Change

This book had a slower pace than I expected, but it still offered a sweet story about learning to accept change. I found myself wishing for a bit more adventure, especially since it’s aimed at middle-grade readers. That said, the author did an amazing job of bringing London to life, which made the setting really enjoyable. While it didn’t completely grab me, I think it could be a nice addition if you’re looking to explore books set in London with your middle-grade child. Overall, it was a pleasant read, though I was hoping for a bit more excitement.

Lia

Amazing!

I LOVED this book! The lessons learned in it are lifelong ones and for those who are experiencing change this is such a relatable book.

Stella

Lovely Read

I really enjoyed this book! It's a quick read at just over 100 pages, but manages to pack in quite a lot about processing change and loss. I think it would be especially great for the 12-14 age group and really good for those experiencing big changes or grief in their lives. You can tell that Rachel writes from experience about being in a new place and experiencing all of the grief and excitement that comes from that!