Review of Kalayla: Unraveling Tangles

Post by **Iloh Ikechukwu** » 07 Apr 2025, 18:48

Lena is a good woman, I love that she’s looking out for Kalayla. She knows that Kalayla is young and tries to put her on the right part. This is an interesting read. Great review.

María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda · 07 Apr 2025, 19:10

I read the first version of this book and loved it. Exploring the relationship between women is fascinating, especially so different women such as Lena, Kalayla, and Maureen. The topics of this book are meaningful, and the story is moving. Thank you for your review!

Vanessa Alatan 1 · Post by **Vanessa Alatan 1** » 07 Apr 2025, 19:21

"Kalayla: Unraveling Tangles" by Jeannie Nicholas is a story about three women: Kalayla, a feisty twelve-year-old, her hardworking mother Maureen, and Lena, their kind landlady.

Kalayla's Story

Kalayla is a tough girl who has to deal with a lot. Her dad died when she was young, and her mom is struggling to make ends meet. She's also dealing with racism because her dad was Black. Kalayla is angry and sometimes says mean things, but she loves her mom very much. She finds a friend in Lena, who helps her and becomes like a grandma to her.

Maureen's Story

Maureen is a single mom who works hard to take care of Kalayla. She's a talented artist but has to put her dreams on hold to make money. She's also hiding a painful secret from Kalayla - her own parents disowned her for marrying a Black man. Maureen is worried about losing Kalayla to her late husband's family and feels like she's not a good enough mom.

Lena's Story

Lena is a strong woman who has faced her own hardships. She lost two sons in the Vietnam War and had a bad marriage. She's estranged from her other children, but she finds a new purpose in helping Kalayla and Maureen. She becomes a mother figure to Maureen and a grandmother to Kalayla.

The Story itself:

The book shows how these three women connect and help each other through their struggles. It's about family, love, loss, and second chances. It's a heartwarming story about finding support in unexpected places. The author, Jeannie Nicholas, writes in a way that makes the characters feel real and their stories feel important.

Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis · 07 Apr 2025, 19:28

Nice review! This book sounds interesting with the three different women. However, I don't like to read about smart-mouthed kids. It means that they were not taught respect for others, especially for adults. I will put this in my enormous pile of books to read, though.

Braja Santika · Post by **Braja Santika** » 07 Apr 2025, 19:52

Thank you for your review. *Kalayla* sounds like a powerful story about resilience, growth, and the complexity of mother-daughter relationships. I appreciate your point about the missed opportunity for younger readers due to the language—it's a reminder of how impactful stories can sometimes be out of reach. Your recommendation feels spot on for women navigating parenting challenges.

Post by **twinkle09** » 07 Apr 2025, 20:40

Time and situation makes some children grow up faster indeed. This was true in Kalayla's case and how she reacted to that seems normal teen behsviour. I am interested in knowing how Lena influences her and changes her for good. Thanks for your review!

John Kariuki 12 · Post by **John Kariuki 12** » 07 Apr 2025, 20:55

Kalayla: Unraveling Tangles is a touching story about a young girl named Kalayla who had to grow up fast. Her dad died when she was little, and her mom, Maureen, had a hard time coping. Being mixed-race, Kalayla also faced racism, which made her act tough and speak boldly.

Lena, a 72-year-old neighbor, noticed Kalayla and was surprised to find out she lived across the hall. Over time, Lena got close to Kalayla and her mom. She learned that Maureen’s parents disowned her because she married a Black man. But Maureen never told Kalayla the full truth.

The story is told from the views of Kalayla, Maureen, and Lena. Each woman is strong in her own way but also has struggles. I liked seeing how Kalayla grew and became more careful with her words, showing how much kids learn from the people around them.

This was my second time reading the book. I still enjoyed it. Some characters weren’t clearly described, and the strong language might not be okay for younger readers. But overall, the story, the lessons, and the humor made it a great read

Post by **Anu Anand** » 07 Apr 2025, 21:16

This story follows Kalayla, her mother Maureen, and their neighbor Lena. Their lives and struggles seem deeply personal and emotional. I'm curious to see how their bond grows and how Kalayla changes over time.

Post by **Sushan Ekanayake** » 07 Apr 2025, 21:22

"Kalayla: Unraveling Tangles" is a powerful, multi-generational story about grief, resilience, racism, and growth. Told through the voices of a sharp-tongued teen, her broken mother, and a tough landlady, it’s a moving reminder that healing happens in connection. Congratulations on being BOTD!

Chinazo Anozie · Post by **Chinazo Anozie** » 07 Apr 2025, 22:10

I've read Kalayla before and thought that this book may be a sequel to the first, but it seems like a second edition as the plot remains more or less the same. All the same, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, especially the bond that grew between Kalayla and Lena.

Kristine Mariel Diaz · Post by **Kristine Mariel Diaz** » 07 Apr 2025, 23:14

This book can be an amazing guide for people of all ages, from kids trying to find their unique way in life and feel lost thinking that adults on their life don't understand them, to adults feeling lost in their own problems and their own grief of any kind. Great review, very honest and well written.

Dayana Alvarado 1 · Post by **Dayana Alvarado 1** » 07 Apr 2025, 23:17

The story shows how these three very different women help each other confront each other understand each other and gradually heal. It's a story of healing, of learning to trust again, of family not just blood, and of how love even in its most unusual forms can change everything.

Post by **Natalie MT** » 07 Apr 2025, 23:28

This book sounds really devastating. I'm interested in how the changing perspectives adds to the story. Thanks fro the review!

Post by **Wayne Njoroge** » 07 Apr 2025, 23:29

We don't choose whatever circumstances we are born or raised in. This quote captures what the book is all about. It also shows the resilience of humanity through hardships.

EVALINE MAGWAMU 1 · Post by **EVALINE MAGWAMU 1** » 07 Apr 2025, 23:35

Thank you for a good review.People don't choose the kind of family they come from.This is the same case with characters in this story.Lena and Kalayla meet their landlady Lena and become good friends.They then discover that they have different issues to tackle.Through this they bond.The author has done his best.to develop the story to the end.All the best to Kalayla.Congratulations on being the BOTD.