Where did I get it? The library in Penistone! As I've said, the teen section there is really nicely laid out and always looks really appealing with really up to date books, I'm so glad it's there.
What's it about? It's another of those Barrington Stoke books on thicker paper that is easier to read especially for dyslexic people and other people with needs like that. I find them really cute little books with often really hard hitting issues but told in a simple and engaging way.
This one is about two girls, who end up as foster sisters. One, Clara, has had a very difficult and sheltered childhood, controlled by her mother. When her older sister gets away, she raises the alarm and Clara ends up being taken into care.
Meawhile Ruby lives with her mum, a foster parent. Her parents are divorced and her dad has a wife and new child, and Ruby has a stepbrother, Adam, too. Ruby is struggling with her place in the world too, especially with her sexuality. She's auditioning for drama school, and through Clara she begins to tell her own story.
I thought this was a lovely book, I liked the care aspect and the foster family. I liked both Ruby and Clara a lot, and Ruby's mum, too. My only criticism is that I wanted to read a whole novel about these characters, and not just a novella. Maybe a sequel?!
What age range is it for? 12+, although it depends on your twelve year old as there is so depiction of abuse and other hard hitting stuff.
Are any main characters LGBTQ+? Yes
Are any main characters people of colour? Yes, Ruby is mixed race.
Are any main characters disabled either mentally or physically? Clara's mum has some kind of mental health problem
Is there any sex stuff? No
Are drugs mentioned or used? I don't think so?
Is there any talk of death? A little bit, it's age appropriate
Are there swear words? No
What criticisms do I have? Almost none - gorgeous story
Would I recommend the book? Yes absolutely
Why did I choose to read it at this point in life? Because library books have deadlines!
What other books is it like? I think it's quite like Non Pratt's writing
How many stars? Eight out of ten!
Where is the book going now? I took it back to the library the very next week when I was next there!
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