Reviews

“Bloom is an imaginative only-child brilliantly imagined by Lauren Kirshner, who creates a first-person narrator you never stop rooting for, even while cringing at the awkwardness of her journey. . . . Where We Have to Go is a sombre but playful saga of a nerdy girl's fight for herself and her family, and highlights Kirshner as a new novelist to watch. A very strong, original debut.”
— The Globe and Mail
To read the full review, click here.

“[Where We Have to Go] wins the reader over with a masterful comic touch and a canny distillation of the painful experience of growing up different…. Kirshner has created a perceptive and likeable protagonist in Lucy. Her observations on growing up in a struggling Jewish family offer moments of laugh-out-loud hilarity…. Evocative and compelling….”
— Quill & Quire

“[Lauren Kirshner is] fast emerging as one of Toronto's most talented new authors...”
— The Toronto Star

"An impressive debut from a gifted writer."
— Now

“Tenderly and meticulously rendered…this novel is well worth reading. Lucy's voice is smart and strong and clear, and like the young author who created her, it deserves to be heard.”
— Winnipeg Free Press

“Canadian authors excel at the precocious female protagonist, and Kirshner's character is a worthy addition to the bunch.”
— Chatelaine

“Lucy's circumstances are enough to break your heart, but they'll also make you bust out laughing -- Kirshner's wry humour will see to that.”
— Canadian Living

“Kirshner has a lot of talent that occasionally reaches sublime heights, plus her comic timing is spot on. Some of the characters in this novel, such as artistic Erin, are quite unique literary conceptions who are not only compelling but borderline enchanting. ”
— Edmonton Vue Weekly

"[Where We Have to Go] is a novel about resilience, the human urge to overcome sorrow, trials and tribulations...Lauren Kirshner has created a world that is believable, touching and a reminder that the journey through life, while not always pleasant, can always get better with time, growth, and understanding."
— Owen Sound Sun-Times

"Combines rich and vivid characters with evocative imagery to tell a compelling tale of adolescence. . . . Kirshner’s whole cast of artfully drawn characters maintains consistently compelling voices. . . . Kirshner uniquely captures with levity and humour the familiar (and painful) experiences of growing up different.."
— The Varsity

"Deeply emotionally resonant, Where We Have to Go celebrates the very real triumphs and tribulations of teenage years with understanding and love without letting the characters off the hook for their choices. You’ll recognize yourself and those you love while getting to know the brilliantly drawn characters unique to the pages of this book."
— The Advent Book Blog: Great Books Recommended by Great People

Other Press
- Laurenappointed 2011-2012 Canada Council Writer-in-Residence, County of Brant Public Library -July 2011
- Lauren's Young Authors Project Launch Night -March 2011
- Lauren's 2011 Brant County Young Authors Project Launches -January 2011
- Lauren is Brant County 2011 Writer-in-Residence-for-Youth -December 2010
- Where We Have to Go reviewed on Miz Moffatt Recommends Blog -November 2010
- Where We Have to Go excerpted in The National Post -October 2010
- CrossCurrents Magazine feature on Sister Writes - July 2010
- McMaster Silhouette feature on Where We Have to Go - April 2010
- Toronto Star.com feature on Sister Writes - April 2010
- Toronto Star feature on Sister Writes - April 2010
- Toronto Star feature - February 2010
- Feature in The Annex Gleaner - February 2010
-The Toronto Observer Feature on Sister Writes - February 2010
- Where We Have to Go review on Book Chic - January 2010
- Toronto.com feature on Sister Writes - January 2010
- Now New Year's Feature - January 2010
- Varsity Feature on Sister Writes - January 2010
- "Limit and Change" - Open Book Toronto Feature - December 2009
- Best Emerging Author 2009 - NOW magazine - November 2009
- Review on Book Advent - November 2009
-Shalom Life feature/review - November 2009
- The Globe and Mail - In other Words guest blog - October 2009
- The University of Toronto Independent - Interview - October 2009
- NOW Toronto "Best Emerging Author 2009" - October 2009
- Open Book Toronto Interview - October 2009
- Globe & Mail Blooks Blog Q & A - October 2009
- Toronto Star IFOA Preview - October 2009
- Book Bits Video Feature - September 2009
- Orato.com feature - September 2009
- The University of Toronto Varsity - September 2009
- The Jewish Tribune - September 2009
- The Canadian Jewish News - September 2009
- Canadian Living - August 2009
- Chatelaine, Stellar Summer Reads - August 2009
- Where We Have to Go on PickleMeThis - July 2009
- Sasquatch Radio.com feature - July 2009
- Open Book Toronto Writer-in-Electronic-Residence - July 2009
- Procrastinationnation.com feature - June 2009
- Now Online covers Where We Have to Go launch - June 2009
- Experienceto.com - June 2009
- McClelland.com -June 2009
- Quill & Quire Cover Feature (pdf) - May 2009
- Hart House Review (pdf) - April 2009
- Desk Space - December 2008