4.75 stars

"Take a sad song, and make it better" has never rung more clearly than in this tale of a girl falsely accused of being a runaway and sent to a children's prison, then to a training school.

I love a good novel in verse, and this is a great read for a queer audience. There are lots of music references and a sweet Sapphic crush. The story hits that much harder knowing the author based the story on a real place and the author's sister.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.

Very good!! Incredibly interesting and well written. Hard to put down once I had started. Very fun read

Amazing book. Love history. Amazing character. Love the cover . Will definitely recommend to friends and family

“Take a Sad Song" is a poignant narrative about girls sent to an all-girls training school, where they are assigned tasks and face severe punishment for any disrespect. This series of poems is told from the perspective of Jane, who goes by Jude. After losing her father, Jude begins partying, and on the night of her birthday, she is taken away by the police. Although the story itself is fictional, the author's notes reveal that the setting is based on a real place from the 1900s. This compelling story captures the uncertainty and risks the girls face as they seek a sense of security in their fragile state. It is a must-read for those interested in learning about this aspect of our history.