Twister follows the trials and tribulations of its eponymous heroine as she embarks on her journey to find her Pa, including her experience of school and her greatest enemy, Clem - a murderer’s child.

This book is a brilliant example of how language can effectively portray a character. The children learned a variety of colloquialisms and unconventional grammatical structures.

The story takes you on a journey of emotions. If you were to use it in English lessons, it would be a great text to challenge your class. If just used as a class story, all would enjoy it.

Sophie Bartlett is Year 6 teacher at Rivermead Primary School, Berkshire

Pupil reviews

A book for curious, imaginative readers

‘It will help expand imaginations’

Twister is a wonderful book. The storyline is genius and it never failed to intrigue me. The description is beautiful and it flows so easily. I really got attached to characters and I felt that I knew them.

Twister is a young girl who has just started to go to school. She lives under the wings of Ma and her Aunt Honey. She travels with her closest companion, Point, and her trusty dog. They fight the world trying to find Twister’s long-lost Pa. Will she find him..?

I shed a tear or two throughout this book and used up many hours of my time reading it.

I would recommend this book to ages 10 and older, because of its sad moments of losing family, friends, pets. But I really think it will help children expand their imaginations to the size of Twister’s. After reading this book, I see the world as a place to be free, to be wild, to be yourself.

Eliza Varga, Year 6

‘An amazing story with long, confusing words’

I think that Twister is one of my favourite books that I’ve read in my whole life. The reason I like it so much is the words the author uses to describe the characters and setting. This amazing story has a lot of long and confusing words in it, but it didn’t take long for me to adjust to them.

It wasn’t only Twister who was on an adventure - it was also her favourite companion, Point, who is also her friendly dog.

I like is how Juliette Forrest described what is was like when Twister transformed into a wolf, a rain cloud, a rain forest, a rushing river and a bush, with the help of the necklace, Wah.

I think this is a book for curious readers. After I read this book, my imagination level has shot up, so I think Juliette Forrest has created an outstanding book!

Finley Tyler, Year 6

‘Use it to learn about young children’s feelings’

I really like Twister because of how unique it is and how sometimes it has a lot of tension.

I wouldn’t describe it as sad throughout, because of how Twister resolves everything.

This book written from Twister’s point of view and she uses a specific slang. I would recommend it to adult readers, because then they can learn and understand about young children’s problems and feelings.

I hope that this book gets as many happy readers as possible. After I read this book, I could just not stop day-dreaming. I hope the author writes some more amazing novels!

Shruthi Moka, Year 6

‘Needs a spotlight in all bookstores’

Twister is a powerful and moving book. I like how positive and determined the characters are and I really enjoy how Juliette Forrest makes a fictional story feel real and authentic.

It changes your emotions throughout the story. I found it hard to stop reading and put down. I hope to see the book in local bookstores because I think the public will also enjoy this book thoroughly.

I would recommend this book to children around 9 and older. This is one of those books where children can expand their knowledge and find new, interesting words in a fun way. It changes your point of view about the world because you see it from a different perspective. It teaches you a few life skills, too.

I hope Juliette Forrest is proud and happy about her book.

Twister is incredible book and I feel that it needs a spotlight in all bookstores.

Tobey Molnar, Year 6

If you or your class would like to write a review, please contact adi.bloom@tes.com