The Girl Who Changed the World is an inspirational novel disguised as fiction. Utilizing a fictional element and encouraging readers to discover along with Lisa, the main character, readers will embark on a journey of self-discovery. The Girl Who Changed the World is more than it seems, and it will definitely surprise you.
The Girl Who Changed the World has a beautifully eye-catching cover. On this book’s cover is a night sky with a shooting star streaking down towards a full moon. The sky surrounding the moon is tinted with shades of pink, and light gold, shading into green at the horizon. It gives the sense of a sunrise/sunset. Walking towards the moon is a young girl. She’s walking a skinny yellow path – with one foot in front of the other – almost like a balance beam. In her hand is a tulip.
The Girl Who Changed the World by Machiel Hoek is an interesting fictional novel that focuses on a young girl by the name of Lisa. Lisa is struggling with change and life. She feels that things are changing too fast and too soon. But life never waits, and she’s seeing that firsthand. All she wants is for things to be good, for life to slow down, and to have happiness. While this isn’t exactly possible, her week with her grandpa will be an extraordinary one – she just doesn’t know it yet.
When you meet Lisa in The Girl Who Changed the World, she’s standing in a barn. Not what you’re thinking. She’s not standing in the door looking out at the world. No, she’s standing out in the barn and reaching out… To what is she reaching? We have no idea, but what we do know is that she takes a tumble. Of course, that kind of ruckus from the impact does not go unnoticed.
The way that author Hoek has Lisa remain on the floor and in a contemplative state is rather interesting. Author Hoek has Lisa contemplating not just the fall, but herself as well. It’s an interesting element that comes at readers rather quickly in this book. The big question that readers are going to have is – why is Lisa being so contemplative? What is going on in her life that is bothering her to this extent? Good news! We’ll find out soon enough! No long waiting is required!
As The Girl Who Changed the World continues to unfold author Hoek reveals that Lisa will be staying with her grandpa while her mother goes on a trip. This specific trip in particular is different from the past ones, but we’ll leave that to you to discover. All you need to know from us is that it’s impacting Lisa and it’s a weight on her shoulders. Though, it’s not the only weight on her shoulders.
As Lisa unveils the troubles weighing her down in this book we are better able to understand her sense of feeling overwhelmed. She’s going through a lot. Teenage and high school years tend to be pretty hard on the psyche, but author Hoek gives readers the sense that Lisa is feeling isolated and alone in all of it. So, the question that comes is – what can she change about her situation. Lisa’s grandpa swiftly enacts a project for her to occupy herself with during her stay to encourage her to assess herself and the world around her.
The Girl Who Changed the World is insightful and informative. Author Hoek crafts a fictional story with realistic aspects. Lisa’s grandpa takes her through a day-by-day trek to better understand not just herself, but her perception of the world around her. He uses his psychology background to help Lisa to open her eyes and to reassess.
Author Hoek takes readers through The Girl Who Changed the World a day at a time. Each day brings something unique to the story. Lisa, with each day, discovers something new and has a new revelation. Whether it’s the impact of her being in a specific situation or a simple discovery about nature itself. While she’s learning, so are we the readers! It’s an amazing aspect of this story.
As Lisa is being taught and led by her grandpa, readers are being taught and led too! Our eyes are being opened to different perspectives, and discovering that how we see things does not equate it to being the truth. The Girl Who Changed the World is a book that will literally have you stopping and thinking. You’ll probably even be inspired to pick up your own journal and document your own journey of self-discovery as you read Lisa’s story.
Author Hoek weaves so many realistic situations into this story. We get Lisa having a confrontation with a boy at the neighbor’s. We get Lisa making an assumption about someone because of their situation without knowing their story. These various plot points that we are given in this story everyone who picks up this book will be able to relate. It’s shocking, but makes for an interesting read!
As The Girl Who Changed the World unfolds and Lisa’s weekend with her grandpa draws to a close readers get to see just how much Lisa has grown in a week! She learns so much with the help of her grandpa. Her journey of self-discovery and empowerment is an inspirational one. The twist that author Hoek weaves into this story? It’s not just Lisa who learns a thing or two during this week of her staying with her grandpa.
Readers are going to appreciate how smoothly this book flows along. There are some moments of drama and surprise that will give this story brief bursts of excitement. How author Hoek has the characters handle the situations will cause readers to pause and reconsider their own knee-jerk reactions.
Readers will also appreciate how author Hoek sprinkles throughout this book images of Lisa’s journal entries. They are easy ways for her to simplify and highlight the more important aspects of what she has learned. These are some of the best moments in the book that allow readers to take a minute and marinate in what has been discovered and learned.
It is safe to say that The Girl Who Changed the World is a book for readers of all ages and sexes. There is something for everyone to learn in this fictional story. This book encourages readers to self-discover along with Lisa and her grandpa. To look deeper, to reassess what they believe to be true, and to take action to better shape their life in the way that they want it to be.
While The Girl Who Changed the World is a work of fiction, it will be a book that will be worth reading and rereading and used to guide your growth and perceptions. There are a lot of realistic elements in this book and it could even be classified as an “educational” fictional novel. But it is an enjoyable story to check out and leaves you with the sense that you are better armed to begin changing your life…for the better.
Pros:
- Educational
- Informative
- Contemplative
- Interesting storyline
- Realistic characters
- Appropriate for all ages
Cons:
None of merit
Scribble's Worth 
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