Have A Little Faith by Candy Harper

That’s it. I am never going to school again.

I was woken up this morning by Dad  doing some brutal curtain opening and entirely unnecessary breathing and existing. He said,’Wake up, sweetheart. First day back at school!’

Pages – 259

Published by Simon & Schuster on 1st August 2013

Goodreads Summary

Being fourteen is a minefield: with fashion dilemmas, teacher trauma, embarrassing parents and boy drama, Faith is just hoping to make it through Year Ten without too many disasters. But when she and her best friend Megs sign up to take part in an inter-school choir with the local boys comprehensive, Faith's life gets even more complicated… just how is she supposed to concentrate on becoming the next Cheryl Cole when she's trying to understand how teenage boys' minds work?

*******

After hearing the author, Candy Harper, read a few passages from this book, I knew I had to read it. In fact, I  have visions of her reading the whole book aloud to me. If there are plans afoot to develop an audio version of the book, then Candy Harper must read it – because in my eyes she is an older version of Faith.

I loved Faith! As soon as I was introduced to her, I knew I was going to want to know her better. If I was at high school, Faith would’ve been the girl I’d have befriended. She is so full of herself, yet adorable with it. She pushes her friends to the limit before reeling them back in. She can’t keep a secret, but feels she is doing her duty as a member of society by getting the information out there. She’s just wild and daring, extremely selfish at times, yet caring at others and I love her. Her sarcastic views of the world had me in stitches.

The book is a sort of diary format and follows  Faith’s first four months back at school. She’s been split up from her best friend Megs, and it’s interesting to watch how they deal with  the changes and cope with the new additions to their little friendship group. On top of that the girls are now spending time with the lads from the local boys school, which adds yet another layer to their group as they navigate their way through the minefield of blossoming romance.

This book will really appeal to fans of Louise Rennison’s books. In fact I think Faith is about to give Georgia Nicholson a run for her money when it comes down to who might be the funniest.  This book is hilarious from start to finish – Faith is one of the funniest characters I‘ve come across in years. I’m looking forward to spending time with her again.