Kate Maryon

I have to confess I picked this book up out of desperation. I'd been reading Lionboy for my Chatterbooks group, but I couldn't get enough copies of it. I needed a book I could get 6 copies of in two days, and there were two on the shelf in our branch. A quick check showed four more on shelves in nearby branches, so I put in an urgent request.
I don't like giving out books to the group without having read them first, in case they aren't really suitable. My immediate reservation was highlighted show more when the boys declared 'but this is a girl's book!'
Having read the book, I'm not sure I'd have chosen it for the group. The theme is a bit 'adult' for the majority of the members. I'd almost put it as a teen title, were it not for the
SPOILER ALERT
happy ending.

It will make for some good discussions though. Not least of which being whether or not it is really a 'girly' book. Would the story really be all that different if the protagonist were Gabriel, not Gabrielle? And the issues raised are ones that young children need to be aware of.

All in all, I'm really glad I stumbled on this one. show less

Tiff's mum is a thief and she's about to get caught !A brilliant novel from a fantastic new writer for girls. Twelve-year-old Tiff loves her mum, Carla, who is glitzy and fun and always coming home with shiny new amazing stuff. The trouble is, Tiff's mum doesn't buy things, she takes them. The fact is, Tiff's mum is a thief! When Carla gets caught, Tiff's shiny life is ruined. She's packed off to a remote island to live with Carla's family. A family her mum never even talks about and that show more Tiff has never even met! How can she survive in this dull, dull place? But the island of Sark isn't as awful as Tiff imagined it would be. The islanders are kind and honest and she's happy spending time with them. So three months later, when it's finally time for her mum to join her, Tiff can't help feeling more than a little bit worried! show less

this book is brilliant it is good for people who are 7+.It is for that age because it is a really sad story behind it but it still has a happy ending. It won't get boring,in fact you won't want to stop reading it. There is two possible happy endings to it but the one in the book is the best one.You should read it.the begining could be boring but it gets better.

Liberty's family is super-rich but when her dad loses his job, she has to learn that not all that glitters is gold!The sparkling new novel from the author of SHINE. Liberty Parfitt is sure there's more to life than getting good exam results and earning lots of money. Unfortunately her super-rich, workaholic dad doesn't agree - he thinks Liberty's passion for music is a total waste of time. But when Dad loses his job and falls into a deep depression, Liberty's talent may be the one thing that show more can save him. The second novel from Kate Maryon - a sparkling new voice for tween girls. show less