Just Bite & Tommy V Cancer

I read books because books have always brought me joy.

I am privileged; privileged that I could read before I could do much else as a child; privileged to have parents who were great readers themselves. I was the kid of read the entire children’s library in school twice and then they let her read adult books. I was the child who could spell her name before she went to school (much to the chagrin of my parents when they found me writing on walls).

I know I have always been blessed with the gift of words. I also know not everyone is.

Words are easy for me, but I do remember a time when they weren’t. I do remember being shown letters and told their names and thinking there was no way I’ve ever remember all 26 at once. It felt like an impossible task back then, to be able to combine letters into words.

I think one of the best things about Tommy Donbavand’s books (having read Teen Bite recently and adored it) is that they’re easy and complex at the same time. There’s heart, and great plot, while the words flow off the page. They’re not going to put a person off reading forever like some books can.

Reading is easy for me but it’s not so simple for everyone else, and I think Tommy really understands that. I think he knows how to create joy for those who are just setting out on their reading adventures, unsure that they’ll ever be able to know every word.