Time to shine by Susannah McFarlane

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E.J 12 Girl Hero, Scholastic, 2013. ISBN: 9781921931383.
EJ12 remains a popular series with the 7 - 9 year old girls looking for more in the adventure genre, so this, the 16th in the series, will be a welcome addition to bookshelves in libraries and homes.
Emma Jacks alias EJ12 and her friends are all looking forward to working together as agents of SHINE, the secret organisation that has recruited them all, and even Nema suspected as being an agent of the evil SHADOW agency is being nice. But when Elle announces that she and her family are moving to London Emma is devastated.
With encouragement from her mother Emma reflects on the change a maths test brought to her life. As we discover it was success in a maths test she was dreading that resulted in her joining SHINE and the training drills and tests that gave her a chance to shine.
As there is always some form of animal involvement in EJ12 books, it is interesting to note that rescuing seals and other sea creatures from an oil spill is part of this adventure, and of course the amazing charm bracelet has just the right gismo to help.
The message is unmistakeable throughout that change can lead to positive outcomes. By facing her fears and remaining calm and thoughtful there is a chance to shine. Sounds a bit like a song title to me, but I'm sure fans of the series will continue to follow the ongoing adventures of agent EJ12 and her friends.
Sue Keane

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