Helen Parker

A very well-written novel about two very different young women who meet in Edinburgh. They become friends but both have secrets that they don't, initially, share.

Lots of authentic background in Cairo during the 2011 revolution in the first part of the book, and some excellent characterisation for the main characters in the novel. The pace is good, and there's just the right amount of tension for my tastes. One or two shocks, some very poignant scenes, and an entirely satisfactory ending. show more

One or two of the coincidences in the book stretched my incredulity somewhat, but they made for a good story nonetheless. Definitely recommended.

Longer review: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2026/02/reluctant-phoenix-by-helen-parker.h... show less

Quite an exciting story involving a twelve-year-old girl (who narrates) who has just moved from Cairo to Edinburgh with her widowed mother. They become involved in the life of a young man who's an asylum seeker, but who has lost his memory and has almost no English...

Questions are raised about when it's right to deceive the authorities - or at least to delay something that should be done sooner - in the context of the importance of truth. Other threads in the story also look at the show more importance of honesty, from a Christian point of view but done in a low-key way.

I liked the story very much and would recommend it to fluent readers of about nine and upwards, or possibly as a thought-provoking read-aloud for children of that age.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2022/10/hide-and-secret-by-helen-parker.htm... show less

This is a stand-alone sequel to 'Hide and Secret', though it's not necessary to have read that first. Chris is the main character in this story; he and his family move to a small Scottish island, although he really doesn't want to.

He meets friends, experiences racist attitudes, takes part in a potentially dangerous rescue by sea, and learns about what it means to forgive. There's a Christian theme but it's not preachy; some of Chris's friends belong to different faiths or none.

I found the show more pace just right, the characters believable, and the story so interesting that it was hard to put down at times. Probably best for young folk between the ages of about nine and fourteen, but it makes a good quick read for adults too - and could be an excellent book to read aloud, with some important issues that could be discussed.

Definitely recommended.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2023/06/island-treasure-by-helen-parker.htm... show less

This is a lovely book. Just the thing to start a young child on the idea that books are for information as much as stories.