The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree

Yup. Bought it for the cover. And actually ended up liking it. What are the odds?I am happy!The story is told from the perspective of a 9 year old girl who is suffering from a rare genetic illness, Stargardt Disease, due to which she is going to lose her sight altogether in the following 6 months.The book follows our main character, Mafalda, for two years after the diagnosis.The everyday struggles of coming in terms with the situation; the parents becoming overcautious; the discovery of real friends and the realisation of fake friends; moments of first love; facing the fears and the uncertainty of each day have been well portrayed.The book talks about books and music and lists-to-do. What made me love this little book is the way it talks about changing priorities and not getting stuck in a frame of mind as was decided beforehand a situation actually happened.The story tells how important it is for a child to have someone to trust and confide in someone. I loved how the book solely does not keep focussing on the disease and the fears based on it. I appreciate the innocence as well as the doubts of the young which are expressed genuinely with honesty in between the lines.My most favourite character is Estella. Without her, this book would not have worked for me.As much as I wanted to, I just couldn't get attached with the main child character. The rest of the characters are just so-so. But...yes, I love the presence of the cat, Ottimo Turcaret. Yes, that's the name of the cat. It has a story behind it.I can feel the angst, the confusion, the fears and the acceptance of Mafalda. That I can say. It felt so real. Sometimes it felt like I was reading a fictionalized aubiography as the author herself suffers from this rare illness.Ah, the book is so beautiful. I would like to get lost in the cherry tree much like Mafalda. I can totally understand.

This book is very good. As a parent of a child recently diagnosed with Stargardt’s it has helped me explain to my daughter what will happen to my son. It has also helped me mentally prepare for the doctor’s appointments. Thank you to the author for writing this book!

I found it impossible to put down, even continuing to read throughout the night until it was finished. Of course, as someone who has been taunted by the nightly monsters since my earliest memories of childhood and still sleeps with one foot out and one foot under the bedcovers ready to run it meant I had to stay awake and defy them. I did it!And am so thankful for Paula's magical story that I overcame a darkness fear just for one night. The writing is tight, characters excellently descripted, and believable tear-jerking storyline (considering that this is a translation from the original) that I would recommend this book to be bought and read for pleasure, and also put on school curriculum reading lists for students to study and dissect the text as it held me from start to finish.

This book tells a moving and inspiring story. Told through the eyes of 10-year old Mafalda, it carries an important message about how disability is often overlooked by society.

My Granddaughter read it during "Home Schooling" and enjoy it very much. They had a reading group online.

I bought this book as I am losing my sight due to Retinitis Pigmentosa.Whilst aimed at younger readers than myself, I still found it an interesting read.