Tall Story

by Candy Gourlay
Tall Story cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Children's Fiction
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Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 839
  • Added: 2025-09-20
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9781849920391
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2011-01-01
  • Formats: 23
  • Reviews: 4

Andi is a young girl with big wishes. She yearns to play basketball, have her own bedroom, and most of all, she wishes for her half-brother Bernardo to leave the Philippines and live with her in London. Her life is turned upside down when her biggest wish comes true, and Bernardo arrives—but he’s not just tall, he’s a giant. As Andi navigates this unexpected twist, she learns about the complexities of sibling relationships and the challenges of blending two very different cultures. The story is a heartwarming and humorous exploration of identity, family, and belonging. Through Andi’s journey, the novel highlights the joys and struggles of growing up and the importance of understanding and embracing differences. With its quirky characters and touching narrative, 'Tall Story' is a charming tale that resonates with readers of all ages.

Reviews
Books for Topics · 2025-10-13
memorable 4.00

The reviewer praises the book as a memorable read about family in its extraordinary forms, suitable for young readers.

The reviewer highlights the book's exploration of family dynamics in extraordinary forms, making it a memorable read. They recommend it for young readers, particularly those in Year 8, and appreciate the book's engaging narrative and relatable characters. The reviewer also notes the book's ability to tackle complex themes in a way that is accessible and enjoyable for its target audience.

Quick quotes

    Tall Story is Candy Gourlay's debut novel and makes for a memorable read about family in its extraordinary forms.

    This is a great text for Y8 readers who will enjoy the engaging narrative.

    The book tackles complex themes in a way that is accessible and enjoyable.

LoveReading4Kids · 2016-02-16
heartwarming 4.50

The debut novel is filled with warmth, humor, and quirkiness, making it a memorable read. It masterfully balances laughter and tears, creating a rich emotional experience.

LoveReading4Kids praises the debut novel for its warmth, humor, and quirkiness, which make it a standout read. The reviewer highlights how the book effortlessly switches between moments of laughter and tears, creating a rich emotional tapestry. They appreciate the book's ability to explore family dynamics in an extraordinary and engaging way. The story's unique blend of ordinary and magical elements adds to its charm, making it a memorable and enjoyable read for young readers.

Quick quotes

    This is a debut novel packed with warmth, humour and quirkiness.

    It will have you in fits of laughter one minute and in tears the next.

    The story's unique blend of ordinary and magical elements adds to its charm.

The Apostate Book Bore · 2015-09-12
charming 4.00

The book is a delightful mix of humor and magic, balancing bittersweet moments with laughter. It's a heartwarming tale that captures the essence of family and belonging.

The Apostate Book Bore's review emphasizes the book's ability to blend humor and magic seamlessly, creating a bittersweet experience for the reader. They found the story to be hilarious and witty, with moments that are both magical and deeply touching. The reviewer particularly enjoyed the way the book explores the themes of family and belonging, making it a heartwarming read. The blend of different emotions keeps the reader engaged throughout, making it a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Quick quotes

    This book is bittersweet, hilarious, witty, and magical, even though some parts are sad.

    I laughed my head off while reading it.

    The blend of different emotions keeps the reader engaged throughout.

The Guardian · 2011-06-14
insightful 3.50

The book explores themes of family and identity through the eyes of two siblings with very different appearances. The narrative effectively conveys the message that appearances can be deceiving.

The Guardian's review highlights how the story of Andi and Bernardo, siblings with contrasting physical appearances, beautifully illustrates the complexity of family dynamics. The reviewer appreciates the book's ability to convey deep emotional messages through a simple yet engaging narrative. They particularly enjoyed how the book challenges stereotypes and encourages readers to look beyond surface-level judgments. The alternating perspectives of the two main characters add depth and richness to the story, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    Andi learned that you shouldn't always judge a person by their appearance.

    The narrative effectively conveys the message that appearances can be deceiving.

    The alternating perspectives of the two main characters add depth and richness to the story.

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