Ruby is a young aboriginal girl in her first year at high school. She is facing her own insecurities after her cousin, who was more like a sister and her best friend, distances herself and isolates Ruby. Ruby is left alone to navigate the rules and hierarchies of the school yard and confront the racism and bullying from some of her peers. This is not just a story about bullying but the serious impacts that verbal and online bullying can have and the consequences for the bullied person. At the same time as Ruby is facing this, her family is focused on a beloved family member who is sick and needs care and support, forcing Ruby to give up her room, causing her more angst and making it harder for her to talk or share with her family what is going on at school.
As the bullying continues online, Ruby is faced with a choice, and her actions will have far reaching consequences that expose the discrimination and bullying within the school that goes so much deeper and requires more than a band aid fix to solve.
Ruby’s Web is an excellent story about the identity, self-worth and standing up for what is right, but is also showed the impacts of racism, discrimination, bullying and what it means to be indigenous in an honest, relatable way that readers will appreciate. It is a sobering reminder that Cyberbullying persists, the consequences of it and that band aid fixes merely stop the bullied from coming forward. This story is given a positive spin by the involvement of Ruby’s teacher and her family, and I think this will resonate with the reader too.
This is a book that would work best as an independent reader but could also be used in a classroom setting. I would recommend this book to any reader who is looking for a real story with a positive ending.
Rock the Boat, 2026. ISBN: 9781836431237. (Age:12-17) Recommended.
Tidespeaker is the first in a new YA fantasy duology. In line with a current revival of interest, resulting in other contemporary publications that reimagine Austen and Bronte novels (eg. The chateau on Sunset inspired by Jane Eyre), Tidespeaker is inspired by Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. UK author Sadie Turner writes in the genre of "gloomy, romantic, neurodiverse YA fantasy," according to her publishers, Rock the boat, the dedicated children's /YA imprint of Oneworld Publications Ltd. Tidespeaker is indeed gloomy, romantic and a fantasy so it fits that description! Corith, its central character, is neurodiverse in that she is autistic. She is isolated and struggles with social interaction at school but does have one friend - Zennia. Corith is an Orha, one who can control water by speaking to it. She is known as a Tidespeaker or Floodmouth.
Corith emerges from the elite magic training school where she has been trained to spend the rest of her life in the lowly station of an Orha serving in the house of a noble family. As in many good fantasy books, the world is divided along strict social stratification lines. In this case the fantasy world is divided into one hundred noble houses with each house having many servants plus four Orhas representing the elements of tides, wind, earth and fire. On the death (which becomes more and more mysterious) of the previous Tidespeaker of Shearwater House (Corith's best friend Zennia) Corith is sent as a replacement. As she receives mysterious anonymous communiques about Zennia's death, Corith becomes bent on revenge and finding the truth. Corith is used by two different groups, the Shearwater family, who house and employ her and those who would bring them down. As the story progresses, Corith develops conflicting loyalties as she is put into the frightening position of becoming a spy in her own household.
Like Fanny in Mansfield Park, Corith encounters snobbery and condescension as she enters the Shearwater family home as a young, innocent and vulnerable girl. She relies on the goodwill of the family for survival but at the same time she is an outsider who shines a moral mirror on the chaos of the household. She is not without resources and these develop as the story progresses. Out of fear and for survival she practises her skills with the tide. She is actually quite morally grey herself as she rifles through private bedrooms looking for secrets that can be used against her employers to bring their house down. She lies her way out of trouble.
Somewhat like the gloomy Thornfield Hall of Jane Eyre, the ancestral Shearwater family house is dark and gothic complete with ivy covered towers and only accessible across a causeway when the dangerous tides are right. This is where Corith's power lies. She will be called upon to harness the treacherous waters of the tides that cut off the house from the mainland and to work her skill in defence and for the protection of the Shearwater family.
Secrets unravel. With increasing knowledge gained through underhand methods, Corith develops the ability to exploit the owners of those secrets whilst simultaneously succumbing to bribery from outside. However she does not know the full story. Clashing fights between the families vying for political leadership begin, accidents and rescues occur, violence erupts and the plot thickens darkly. Romantic sparks start to fire. Treachery is everywhere. Who does one trust?
The cover art by USA based Alexxander Dovelin perfectly suggests, fantasy, intrigue and romance. The interior map that one expects of fantasy books where the authors have built complex worlds is drawn by the well-known illustrator and creator of fantasy maps for books (Dreamslinger, The Aether Chronicles, etc.) - Virginia Allyn. With its detailed, dark, watery, woodsy vibe the map of Nemestra aids the reader by showing the location of the various Houses (named after birds), the path that Corith had to travel from Arbenhaw, the Wilds, the rivers, the Crags, the Quaglands and etc. - all looking bleak, dark and forbidding.
Amongst many plaudits Tidespeaker is described by reviewers as "hauntingly vivid," "lush and atmospheric," "claustrophobic and salt-soaked," and as having "luscious gothic vibes." All of these descriptions are true. We will await the second book of this enjoyable debut duology.
Themes Class stratification, The elemental world, Loyalty, Privilege, Isolation, Secrets, Political intrigue, Fantasy, Mystery, Secrets, Exploitation.
Wendy Jeffrey
Happy birthday, wonderful you! by Ms Rachel. Illus. by Monique Dong
Anyone with children or grandchildren knows about Ms Rachel, a bubbly presenter who involves young children in her range of stories, dances and activities on daytime television. She is ever enthusiastic, her sets colourful and inviting, her demeanour open, friendly and energetic. Other books in her series are shown on the last endpaper.
This book contains lots of information about birthdays and all the wonderful words and customs associated with that day.
Ms Rachel puts the readers in the spotlight asking them when their birthday is. With this in mind, she encourages readers to think about how far away their date of birth is and this leads her to tell them about the meaning of the word, birthday. Next comes the idea of having a party to celebrate a birthday and she shows the readers how to make invitations for family and friends to come on that day. Preparation for the day includes making a cake, making decorations, icing the cake when it is ready, and welcoming friends, Bean and Herbie who come to the door. Games are played, pin the tail on the donkey, for example, and finally the cake is presented with the friends singing Happy birthday. When the cake is eaten, presents are given, and the words, thank you, used in profusion. Some quiet time might be needed if the friends are tired out with the activities, and even if things don’t go strictly to plan, the memories of that special day will be there forever.
This book with its soft, striking illustrations, features Ms Rachel going about the preparations needed for a birthday party. The images on each page detail the sorts of things done at birthday parties, showing the three friends smiling and laughing as they celebrate the special day. The detailed illustrations invite children to point out all the words and customs associated wit the word, birthday, and laugh along with Ms Rachel, Bean and Herbie after singing the birthday song.
I love the gentle reminders through the story of the manners required at welcoming people for example, and suggesting they may be tired and thanking when the presents are given.
Themes Birthdays, Manners, Politeness, Relationships, Friends, Humour, Ms Rachel.
Each new page offers a different house in this fabulous neighbourhood, and turning the page reveals what is inside this house, to the delight and amusement of the readers. They will follow Paul as he walks through his streets, visiting all his friends and gathering them together along the way. From the house on wheels, to Olive’s cloud house and Sam’s bubble house, each is as different as they can be from the other. Eyes will search the double pages, finding lots of interest and fun. And pondering whether these observations are imagined or real.
First house on Paul’s walk is Lucy’s cat house. From the outside the house looks like a cat and inside are ten cats to be found before Paul moves to the next house with Lucy. Georgina’s house looks like an iced cake, and turning the page readers will be delighted to find that Georgina’s dad is a chef, so this house reflects his baking and readers will not be surprised to see the children sitting at the table to sample some of his work. Molly’s tree house will attract lots of interest as readers imagine themselves shinning from the branches.
Each page is wonderfully different, and the audience will be amazed that these detailed and stunning illustrations are created from paper cutting, a Japanese art called kirigami.
Several YouTube sites show this art work.
Each page of Takeuchi’s work forces the reader to take time to look at what is happening and think about its creation. Students will be excited to look at her other books which include Whose bones?, All in a day and Whose dinosaur bones?, to study the artistry behind the images.
Each page of this book shows how fascinating difference is, and the book encourages acceptance of difference and diversity, as it shows a range of people and places, designed to throw children’s expectations a little off course. Imaginative and playful, readers will love taking another look at houses around the neighbourhood, imagining the people who may live there.
I love the cloud house, with the children having a bubble bath, needing umbrellas against the inclement weather and hanging the washing in the attic, rainbows appearing in the distance. A subtle and endearing trio of pages.
Mary's game loosely links Mary Fowler’s childhood to a story involving Maz (Mary when she is in trouble) and her home-made football. Maz has come up with an idea to solve the problem of not being able to do headers at school and mostly her creativity has helped. However, a mishap requires a new set of problem-solving skills. Will Maz’s homemade ball provide the right enjoyment for lunchtime play?
This early chapter book, connecting the fame of Mary Fowler to a childhood Year 2 iteration of the football superstar, is a gentle story. It connects Year 2 life, school and friendship, to the football-loving recess and lunch activities that are enjoyed by both boys and girls. The addition of a problem-solving or creative activity highlights thinking skills needed by young students and sports lovers. This is an enjoyable book for 5–7-year-olds who are newly engaging with chapter books. Even those without a soccer interest will enjoy Maz and her friends and their solutions to the real issues of school life.
Kate loves musical theatre, singing and performance and is very talented, but is concerned that her lack of confidence and her looks do not make her leading lady material. When she auditions for the Year 10 school musical she is filled with doubt and struggles with where the teachers who cast the production will place her. Can she inhabit the leading role, or any role for that matter, and light up the stage with confidence?
This is a Teen Fiction easy read book (written with minimal words, but maximum impact) that plumbs the depths of the teen that would love to be a star but is filled with uncertainty. The simplicity of the language (and short sentences and simple construction) does not detract from the emotional insights, and this is a great book to recommend to a teen reader who might be daunted by a longer text but does not want to read books aimed at pre-teens. I loved the drama of the on-stage experience and the behind-the-scenes turmoil, and Kate also enjoys friendships and mild bullying and put-downs from others within her school context, so this will strike a chord for many young readers aged 12-14. Family support is also presented positively, and teachers are also given a redemptive role for Kate. This is an uplifting story, and the format is very helpful for developing or struggling readers (perhaps ESL students will also benefit). I enjoyed following the growth of the main character in this story… and I am not the target audience!
Going outside with Gran means capturing the moments full of tiny things which make us all happy. And there is a myriad of things to do, to observe, to be involved in, to feel, and celebrate. In rhyming lines, Gabrielle Tozer presents the day with a child being part of her surrounds. She spies secret gardens, holding her umbrella against the drizzling rain, singing out loud as she marches through the park, stomping through the scenery, pats the puppy's wet nose while watching a slow snail make its way across the wall. She runs thorough the puddles, then listens to a story while wearing her fairy wings. The story enables her to go even further, flying through the sky, travelling down under the ocean, saving the castle from the dragon, and back home in time for tea. She can imagine she has superpowers, able to soar around the sky, visit the moon and fly between the stars.
The story encourages young children to be brave and be true to themselves, taking each day as it comes, filled with a variety of colours and emotions. As she goes to sleep she recalls the many tiny wonders the day brought to her, things she saw and felt, imagined and read about, experienced and involved herself in.
This engaging book encourages children to be happy, to experience all the tiny wonders each day brings, to share their happiness and be brave in seeking it out.
Lovely illustrations cover each page, revealing a depth of detail to be sought out by inquisitive eyes. The book encourages children not to worry about the less important things but to be aware of all the little wondrous things around them every day.
The Silent Island is the second instalment in the Oceanforged series by Amelia Mellor. Another exciting fantasy adventure, building brilliantly on the first book, deepening the stakes, friendships and magical world of Aquinta. Packed with suspense, secrecy and spirit, the sequel delivers a gripping continuation of thirteen-year-old Cori’s journey as the determined and courageous newly chosen Champion.
Armed with her magical gauntlet and joined by loyal friends Jem and Tarn, she is searching for the Loyalists, hoping they can help with her mission to locate the hidden Oceanforged Armour and overthrow the Local Council. Realising the Loyalists are unable to support her mission and discovering Aquinta is facing an imminent disaster, Cori and her loyal companions must take on the challenges alone.
Setting sail towards the mysterious Mutemount - an island lost to history for over a century, with rumours of monstrous sea creatures and vanished travellers - their voyage is both terrifying and enticing. Mellor’s vivid storytelling shines throughout. Readers will be eagerly turning each page; drawn into the expedition as hidden dangers and unexpected twists unfold.
The friendship between Cori, Jem, and Tarn continually evolves as their loyalty, bravery and trust are tested. In moments of danger, they work together with unwavering support for one another. As Cori wrestles with feelings of self-doubt, great responsibility and mounting pressure, she realises she must become the Champion she is destined to be, rather than simply replicate the Champions from the past. Will Cori rise as a Champion and be the answer to Aquinta’s troubles, or will terror and time stand in her way?
Mellor has created a sequel that is fast-paced and adventurous, keeping readers on the edge of their seat and eager to find out more. Filled with sea monsters, hidden secrets and high-stake quests, it will captivate middle-grade readers - especially those who love action-packed fantasy with soul. The Silent Island will leave readers excited to continue Cori’s journey and discover what lies ahead in the Oceanforged tale.
What a chaotic rollercoaster ride, from the high of the much anticipated perfect school ball to the low of absolute devastation, a night that goes so horribly wrong. It is all such a slapstick accumulation of disaster after disaster that readers will be laughing, as long as they don’t have too much sympathy for an unfortunate pet goat.
My wonderful disgrace is quite a switch from the previous book by the Rice mother-daughter duo, Stuck up and stupid (2023), a beachside romance lightly based on Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. This latest novel is a very modern combination of journal entries, phone texts, police interviews and school newsletters to piece together the events that thoroughly wreck the rosy dreams of schoolgirl Amy Middleton.
Within the chaos, the book does touch on some serious themes, particularly damaging social media and abusive relationships, and we do see the character of Amy develop from a rather shallow stereotype to a more mature understanding of herself and her relationships. The values are good, and the overall tone is fun and frenzy, making for an easy fast-paced read for YA readers.
Themes School stories, Romance, Social media, Relationships.
Helen Eddy
The embarrassing confessions of Gracie Sparks by Fiona Harris
We learn all about 12-year-old Gracie’s life and thoughts via her diary as she begins year 7. Unlike her best friends, Gracie is going to Middleton Grammar, the same college her mother attended and now her older sister. Gracie is preoccupied with how she will fit in and make new friends. There is one student, Margot, from her old school, who is awkward and boring, but they partner up. They manage to make friends with the ‘cool’ girls, who Gracie calls The Shinies.
Gracie’s family are grieving from the death of her mother several years ago. Her father keeps a tight rein on his daughters and Gracie isn’t allowed to go to concerts or sleepovers with her new friends. Her older sister is always angry with her. It isn’t long before Gracie is excluded from the Shinies. Distraught and lonely Gracie befriends a smart but similarly friendless student called Amiel, and they work together on an interesting class presentation and a performance. One that builds on their existing interests and creative talents.
This was an enjoyable page turner that covers some serious themes but with a light touch. There are certainly moments of angst and sadness, but Gracie’s observations of other people and everyday worries are often funny. For example, when Gracie likens shaving her legs, toes and underarms to a bloodbath. Then Buster the dog licks her bloody shins, which she describes as quite soothing! Also, the sweet revenge she has on The Shinies is very satisfying! Gracie grows to be more self-assured and reflective. She is supported by a strong family such as her Aunt and Grandma. But it is her friendship with her oldest friend, Viola, who tells it like it is and urges Gracie to be her own fantastic self, that stands out.
There are plenty of incidents which are relatable for tween readers – who can forget the angst surrounding starting at a new school and going through puberty? It reminded me of The Hits and Misses of Melody Moss, another enjoyable diary story of a 12-year-old starting high school.
Thanks to the efforts of translator Emma Ramadan, English language readers can now enjoy this absolutely brilliant novel by French author Emma Tholozan. It is such a bizarre and provocative story which will readily capture readers’ interest and keep them intrigued until the end. Imagine being in a relationship with a lover who vomits up money, Euro notes that need to be cleaned and hung up to dry, pegged on lines across a tiny apartment. At what point would the excitement of instant wealth overtake concern for the human money machine becoming more frail and exhausted with each expulsion? This is the moral dilemma Tholozan explores.
It all begins when Anna, a philosophy graduate, meets Lulu at a celebratory end-of-year party, and the attraction is instant. Anna’s world is that of intellectuals and academics, exploring philosophies, theories and ideas; studies that have no application in the working world. Lulu is different, his hands are rough, he hasn’t been to university, his obsession is fixing broken appliances. When he moves into her apartment he doesn’t have the usual baggage, none of the assorted household items and memorabilia; he just brings two gorgeous budgerigars in a cage. He actually lives the non-materialistic life that Anna and her friends purport to espouse.
But then everything changes when Lulu becomes strangely ill, and when he vomits he brings up screwed up Euro notes coated in saliva. Suddenly Anna can buy the designer bags she previously scorned, she can buy expensive fashions, travel to exotic locations and mix with the superficial wealthy elite. She revels in being one of those beautiful people you see in magazines. Former relationships no longer matter, her obsession with the rich lifestyle becomes overwhelming.
The question becomes one of human values: how far would you go, how many people would you hurt to get what you want? How far can a relationship stretch when each person wants something different? Tholozan’s novel is a scintillating expose of both the shallowness of consumerist society, and of over-indulgent intellectualism. She grounds her moral questions in a scenario where the repercussions of the consumerist drive create actual physical consequences for the people concerned. The more Anna craves money, the more Lulu deteriorates. It becomes quite grotesque, but it is fun, and highly thought-provoking as well. It's a short novel with a punch that will stay in your thoughts long afterwards.
If one can judge the quality of a biography on the research behind it, then Mark Oppenheimer's Judy Blume: A life has to be good. Footnotes throughout each chapter reveal the extent of Oppenheimer's examination of Blume's life. They refer to the innumerable sources of Oppenheimer's information from Judy's unpublished memoir, from emails to and from Oppenheimer, from Judy's numerous other letters, from yearbooks, interviews, her novels, her speeches, from interviews, from her communications with editors, from documentaries, from reports, from note cards for speeches, from the material and writers that inspired her, from newspaper articles, biographical notes from other authors, magazines, appraisals... the list is extensive.
Judy was a prolific writer and communicator. Judging by the number of emails between Oppenheimer and Blume it seems that Blume had a fair idea about what Oppenheimer was to write and some input into this biography. 404 footnotes span 31 chapters and Epilogue. Oppenheimer also includes a note on sources where he discusses two of the documents cited. The first is the notes that Judy took for her unpublished memoir which she gave to Oppenheimer. They became an "invaluable resource" for him but covered only her early childhood. The second resource Oppenheimer used is most important - that of Judy's comments, memos, disagreements and thoughts on his draft biography. This reveals the extent of Oppenheimer's collaboration with Judy (though he does say that he "rejected many of her suggestions...") "... but I took many and I fixed the errors she caught." The index is extensive and helpful and a double spread photograph of Judy from Getty Images graces the front pages. Photo credits are given for the pages of black and white photographs in the middle of the book.
Oppenheimer is well qualified to write a biography. He holds a PhD in religious studies from Yale and has taught at Stanford, Yale, NYU and other prestigious institutions. In addition he was a columnist for The New York Times for six years, has written for The New Yorker, The Nation, GQ, Slate and many more publications and is the author of five books including the poignant and powerful Squirrel Hill: the tree of life synagogue shooting and the soul of a neighbourhood.
Oppenheimer traces Blume's writing path from her early and unpublished work through to the well-known novels that children have been so familiar with eg. Tales of a fourth grade nothing and Sheila the great for primary years and Are you there God? It's me Margaret for Middle years readers. Oppenheimer offers possible links and parallels between Blume's own feisty personality and complicated childhood, marriages and life which evolved into her becoming a great advocate for free speech and contemporary literature. With his sensitive, clear-eyed and respectful approach, readers of Judy Blume: A life will find some interesting information, some surprises and some Aha moments. It is hard to forget the picture of the teenage Judy Blume that Oppenheimer manages to extract. What a smart and spirited girl she was! She had a crystal clear way of seeing people and situations for what they were and for taking on people. This aspect of her personality plus her drive for achievement and her single-minded focus, drove her life in gutsy ways that most middle- class 1940s/50s women would not have dared. This bold characteristic empowered and influenced her life- her sexual experiences, her relationships and marriages and seeped into her books. She became an author who wrote books for adolescents that did not shy away from the messier side of growing up that other writers avoided. Thus Blume had to fight with her books becoming banned from time to time. In this way, she reshaped young people's literature.
Blume has had an extraordinary impact on literature for children and (in this writer's opinion) especially for Middle Years readers. Her influence is international and Oppenheimer has written a biography that lifts the veil and sheds a light on the life that shaped the writings of the remarkable Judy Blume.
Themes Judy Blume's life and work.
Wendy Jeffrey
Mr Bean's entertaining escapades by Official Mr Bean
Entertaining Escapades is a laugh-out-loud graphic novel that perfectly captures the timeless chaos and charisma of the iconic Mr Bean. As part of the Official Mr Bean – 10 Hilarious Comics series, this book is once again jam-packed with ten riotous, comic-style stories, plus a bonus adventure. For lovers of Mr Bean, this colourful collection will deliver plenty of side-splitting laughter.
Bursting with bold, bright, glossy pages, each jam packed with full-colour panels of expressive illustrations, the visual gags and perfectly timed comedic moments are captivating. The format works beautifully for Mr Bean’s style of humour, which has always relied heavily on visual storytelling. With caption boxes, short dialogue and the exaggerated expressions and energetic artwork every mishap is made crystal clear and endlessly entertaining.
Containing a wide variety of scenarios, every story offers a new ridiculous situation. Whether Bean is causing chaos in public, muddling up everyday tasks or turning ordinary activities into awkward and uncomfortable situations, these stories have it all. The humour ranges from silly and playful to amusingly absurd, ensuring there is something to make every reader giggle.
Mr Bean’s usual slapstick humour is conveyed in a format that feels fresh, lively and irresistibly fun for readers of all ages. The comic format allows the jokes to land quickly and keeps the pacing moving swiftly - making it ideal for both reluctant readers and confident comic fans.
The short episodic stories make it easy to dip in and out, perfect for quick reads, shared laughs with a friend or longer independent reading time. With high visual storytelling, this book will appeal to graphic novel fans and Mr Bean fans alike.
Overall, Entertaining Escapades is an engaging, energetic and highly entertaining graphic novel that proves Mr Bean’s comedy works brilliantly in any format. Silly, vibrant and packed with giggles, it’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that will have kids (and adults) simultaneously reading and laughing on repeat.
Themes Humour, Social Situations, Problem Solving.
Subtitled, The perfect bedtime book, and with a charming image of grandparents and the children going to bed, picking up this book will aid caregivers who at the end of the day, need a rhyming story to set the mood for sleep. As they say goodnight to their old and new toys, read stories with their grandparents, they recall the things they did during the day with their grandparents: tickling, walking, playing, baking, in all sorts of weather. Lovely images of the older people with their young grandchildren cover each page and readers will see the range of things children do with their grandparents. One amongst many likeable images of the neighbourhood, shows end of day activities: brushing teeth, reading a story, walking the dog, tucking into bed, and then lights out. Each activity reveals the love they all share, and even when they are far apart, they know they are always in their hearts.
Grandparents are kind, courageous, caring and clever, and these qualities are given a front line in this warm hearted story. Kids will want to share their images of grandparents and the things they do with them, and how much impact they have on their lives.
The text is supported by warmly humorous illustrations of the two children and their grandparents, doing all the activities mentioned in the text. Bright, detailed full colour illustrations show a loving family doing many things together, coming together at bedtime with routines that lead the children to snuggle into their beds, love and kindness in their hearts.
Themes Family, Relationships, Grandparents, Grandchildren, Sleep, Bed time, Humour.
Fran Knight
The secrets and scandals of Melody Moss by Helen Dallimore
Penguin Random House, 2026. ISBN: 9781761354199. (Age:10-14) Recommended.
Melody Moss is on the cusp of turning 13 and she is negotiating friendship faux pas, trying new things, organising a birthday celebration, working out where boys fit in her life and continuing to love musicals. This light-hearted journey into the mind and mystery of Melody Moss will reveal many of the turmoils of turning 13 and working out how to be a successful friend, as well as coping with the spectral appearance of a gathering of unusual characters who seem to interrupt her life. This ‘normal life’ crossover with fantasy is almost a homage to a life on stage (or a side-reference to her mother’s unusual cooking style), but the effect is comical and yet a real glimpse of the roller-coaster of growing from childhood to teenage life.
For pre-teen and early teen readers this book will bring a touch of joy. Readers who have loved Dork Diaries will also love this strangely insightful glimpse into the wonders of the social dramas of High School life (where even the transition from year 7 to year 8 can seem like a giant leap and Primary School can be a world away!) Melody Moss is the type of character that has a naive quality, yet a self-awareness that comes across through her journal entries, sometimes written sharing her fears before a big day or event, and also reflecting after those same situations. Helen Dallimore’s own stage and TV experience shines through in the writing about Musical Theatre Club, and closet stage performers will love these references. Mostly though this is just a funny, tween-friendly look at growing up with stumbles and smiles along the way… less a hormonal roller-coaster, and more a dance with destiny (and dating with handholding and kisses on the cheek.) For readers aged 10-14.
