Wishbones by Virginia Macgregor

"Depression is sneaky. It hides, waiting for something to happen to knock you off your stride and then it pounces. And once it's got its claws in you, it swallows you whole."

Published by Harlequin Teen, 9th March 2016 

384pages in paperback.

Cover by TBC

Summary from Amazon:

Feather Tucker has two wishes:

1)To get her mum healthy again

2) To win the Junior UK swimming championships

When Feather comes home on New Year’s Eve to find her mother - one of Britain’s most obese women- in a diabetic coma, she realises something has to be done to save her mum’s life. But when her Mum refuses to co-operate Feather realises that the problem run deeper than just her mum’s unhealthy appetite.

Over time, Feather’s mission to help her Mum becomes an investigation. With the help of friends old and new, and the hindrance of runaway pet goat Houdini, Feather’s starting to uncover when her mum’s life began to spiral out of control and why. But can Feather fix it in time for her mum to watch her swim to victory? And can she save her family for good?

****

Review

Wishbones is a contemporary YA novel which explores eating disorders, obesity, depression, family relationships, first love and sexuality, all with sensitivity and warmth.

The characters are extremely well-drawn. Feather is a brave teen who loves her mum and is both sympathetic to and frustrated with her mum’s seeming lack of interest in her own health. Feather’s mum, Josie, is obese, but never a caricature. There are people who make fun of her and behave in underhand and dehumanizing ways towards her, and there are plenty of secrets and lies throughout, but the book focuses on how sharing your darkest truths can shine a light on them and lift you up. This is, at its centre, a story about hope.

Hope is something that Clay, the new boy in town, also seems to have lost. He suffers from male anorexia, the opposite of Josie’s disorder, and a rarely talked about, much less written about issue. As with Josie’s depression, Clay’s story illustrates the power that love and support can have, though ultimately, the book is very clear that the steps towards recovery must come from the person themselves. There are no quick fixes here, no matter how much Feather wants them for everyone.

Author Virginia Macgregor has a way of creating worlds that are real and warm and truthful; settings and characters that stick with you so that you want to stay with them. Wishbones is a fine example. It’s well paced, skilfully plotted with characters you root for and revelations that will keep you turning the pages. It’s a brilliant book and one I know I’ll be recommending to all. 

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Sarah Baker is a children’s author. Her novel for 8-12 year olds, Through the Mirror Door, is available now.

Website: bysarahbaker.com 

Twitter: @bysarahbaker

Instagram: @bysarahbaker

Pinterest: pinterest.com/bysarahbaker

How Not To Disappear by Clare Furniss

‘Our memories are what make us who we are. Some are real. Some are made up. But they are the stories that tell us who we are. Without them we are nobody.’

Published by Simon and Schuster, 14th July 2016 

416 pages in paperback.

Cover Silhouette © Shutterstock

Cover Design by Leo Nickolls

Summary from Amazon:

Hattie's summer isn't going as planned. Her two best friends have abandoned her: Reuben has run off to Europe to 'find himself" and Kat is in Edinburgh with her new girlfriend. Meanwhile Hattie is stuck babysitting her twin siblings and dealing with endless drama around her mum's wedding. Oh, and she's also just discovered that she's pregnant with Reuben's baby…Then Gloria, Hattie's great-aunt who no one even knew existed, comes crashing into her life. Gloria's fiercely independent, rather too fond of a gin sling and is in the early stages of dementia. Together the two of them set out on a road trip of self-discovery - Gloria to finally confront the secrets of her past before they are erased from her memory forever and Hattie to face the hard choices that will determine her future…

Non Pratt's Trouble meets Thelma and Louise with a touch of Elizabeth is Missing by Emma Healey, Clare Furniss' remarkable How Not To Disappear is an emotional rollercoaster of a novel that will make you laugh and break your heart.

*****

Review

How Not to Disappear is a contemporary YA read that’s funny, bittersweet and thought provoking. Told from two different perspectives, Hattie and Gloria are beautifully drawn characters whose past and present intertwine and drive the story towards the shocking revelation of Gloria’s biggest secret and Hattie’s ultimate decision. 

The idea of ‘disappearing’ runs throughout the book: whether that’s running away from your family or simply taking a little breathing space, the death of a parent or the loss of memory that comes hand in hand with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Then there’s the idea of choice and the difference in attitudes then and now towards young mothers, as well as the options available to them. 

This is a book about family relationships and it handles the sensitive subjects of teen pregnancy and dementia deftly with honesty and humour. Both Hattie and Gloria struggle with denial of their respective situations and it’s only through trust that they discover strength, self-awareness and a true friendship that helps them both come to terms with reality.

How Not to Disappear is an emotional and very moving read. I couldn’t put it down and I warn you, I cried at the end.

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Sarah Baker is a children’s author. Her novel for 8-12 year olds, Through the Mirror Door, is available now.

Website: bysarahbaker.com 

Twitter: @bysarahbaker

Instagram: @bysarahbaker
Pinterest: pinterest.com/bysarahbaker

Cuckoo by Keren David

Jake Benn, face to camera. He’s sitting on a dark wood floor, leaning against a bed.

He speaks. His voice is soft and nervous, yet still easy to listen to.

‘I’m sorry.

Published by Atom, 4th August 2016 

260 pages in paperback.

Cover by TBC

Summary from Amazon:

Jake is an actor, a household name thanks to his role on the UK's most popular soap. But his character went upstairs to his bedroom six months ago and never came down again, and now Jake is facing an uncertain future. Add to that his dad's anger issues, the family's precarious finances and the demands of a severely autistic brother; Jake's home feels like a powder keg waiting to explode. It's easier to spend nights on friends' sofas and futons, but what happens when you feel like a cuckoo in every nest? 

Cuckoo is a novel about the roles we play when we don't fit in anywhere, and finding unlikely solace when home is the least welcoming place of all.

****

Cuckoo is a wholly original contemporary YA novel written as an online video transcript. The story centres around Jake, a sixteen-year-old actor in a popular TV soap who’s just lost his job and discovered his parents have spent all his money. Under pressure to get another role, Jake struggles with his Dad’s anger issues and the demands of his autistic brother. After initially relying on friends for help, things get a whole lot worse when Jake finds himself homeless.

This is a fantastic and very unique concept. Various characters take it in turns to narrate the scenes and Jake and his friends often play each other, all of which adds a level of authenticity, as do the positive and negative comments posted at the end of each episode.

With only a few lines per instalment, the characters are surprisingly vivid, diverse and well-crafted, and the reader is easily drawn into Jake’s world and into the rather eye opening world of TV production and what it’s really like to be a child actor.

Tackling big subjects such as homelessness, autism, dementia and depression, as well as teen frustration with friends and family, Cuckoo is honest, credible and so fast paced you won’t want to put it down (I finished it in one read).

This is an innovative, moving, very clever and rather different book. I thoroughly recommend it.

---

Sarah Baker has worked extensively in film, with roles at Aardman Features and the Bermuda Film Festival, and as Story Editor at Celador Films. She has also been a writer and blogger for vintage fashion magazines. Sarah currently lives in London with her son. THROUGH THE MIRROR DOOR is her first book, a time-slip novel for 9+ that’s perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Katherine Rundell and Robin Stevens.
Website: bysarahbaker.com
Twitter: @bysarahbaker
Instagram: @bysarahbaker
Pinterest: pinterest.com/bysarahbaker

Welcoming Two New Reviewers to Serendipity Reviews.

If you were taking part in #ukteenchat last night, you would have heard the exciting news. I have two new reviewers joining the team!

 I am over the moon that both these lovelies have agreed to join KM Lockwood, Liss Norton and myself in reviewing books for the blog. Both ladies are active members of SCBWI, making this practically a SCBWI review site.

I'm so pleased to welcome Sarah Baker and Emma Finlayson-Palmer onto the team. Here's a little bit about each of them.

Sarah Baker has worked extensively in film, with roles at Aardman Features and the Bermuda Film Festival, and as Story Editor at Celador Films. She has also been a writer and blogger for vintage fashion magazines. Sarah currently lives in London with her son. THROUGH THE MIRROR DOOR is her first book, a time-slip novel for 9+ that’s perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Katherine Rundell and Robin Stevens. 

Website: bysarahbaker.com

Twitter: @bysarahbaker

Instagram: @bysarahbaker

Pinterest: pinterest.com/bysarahbaker

Emma Finlayson-Palmer has won numerous short story competitions, has had stories published in magazines such as Anorak magazine for children, written two MG novels, started many more and is mother to a multitude. She is also the host of #ukteenchat on Twitter, a chat for writers of children’s fiction. A SCBWI member since 2014, based in the West Midlands and currently working on a book for 5-8 year olds and being mentored by Tamsyn Murray. 

Blog: http://finlayson-palmer.blogpsot.co.uk

Twitter: @FinlaysonPalmer 

Please give Sarah and Emma a huge welcome. I am so excited to be working with them and look forward to featuring their reviews. 

A Night In A Haunted House by Sarah Baker

Today on the blog, I have one of my writing buddies, Sarah Baker, who tells us all about her night in a haunted house. 

Have you ever spent the night in a haunted house? 

Unwittingly, yes. 

I was twelve and on holiday in France with my Aunt, Uncle and two cousins. We’d been in the car and on the motorway most of the day and had started to reach that level of finding each other really annoying when my uncle pulled the car onto an old, pot-holed road. He drove towards a huge, falling-apart house. It was three stories high, had so many windows I couldn’t count them all, and seemed to be half sagging, half lurching into the ground. This was where we’d spend our last night in France before catching the ferry home. 

The house belonged to friends of my Aunt and Uncle. The man was tall, his wife was round and neither smiled. We children were instructed to play in the orchard until dinner was ready, but just as the adults went into the house, it was announced that there wasn’t enough room in the guesthouse for all of us, so my cousin Julia and I would have to stay in the big house. 

You know that sound in a film that’s like a record being ripped off a turntable? That’s what I heard in my head. Stay in a big creepy house? Er, no thanks. But it was too late. By the time I’d opened my mouth, the adults had disappeared down a dark corridor. I looked at my cousins, they looked at me, and we ran outside. 

It probably would’ve been alright, if my cousin hadn’t decided somewhere between playing tag in the garden and eating a really rich stew, that she wasn’t going to stay in the house with me. As we were shown into a small bedroom containing two ancient cots with pillows shaped like thin sausage rolls, folded blankets (no duvets!) and a really evil looking wardrobe, Julia announced that she had a really bad headache and would need to be with her mum, dad and sister. She raced off, but just as I decided to do the same, Armuth (the lady of the house) shut the bedroom door behind her and walked away. I was left with the sound of her footsteps echoing on the parquet floor and the wind whistling through the window shutters. 

What happened next? Well I went exploring, of course. I started out looking for the bathroom and ended up fleeing from suits of armour, terrifying paintings of Armuth’s relatives that leered down from the walls, plenty of strange bumps and creaks and some out of tune dings from an old grandfather clock. Nearly all the doors I tried were locked, but I must have found the bedroom again because when I woke up I was on the cot and still in my clothes. Over breakfast my cousins asked Armuth if the house was haunted. With a glance at me she winked and said, “but, of course” and that’s how the idea was sown for Through the Mirror Door… 

Sarah Baker is a children’s author. Her debut novel for 8-12 year olds, Through the Mirror Door, is available now at all good bookshops. 

Website: bysarahbaker.com 

Twitter: @bysarahbaker 

Instagram: @bysarahbaker 

Pinterest: pinterest.com/bysarahbaker

Through The Mirror Door by Sarah Baker

"That was your last chance." 

I stared at the worn carpet till my eyes blurred.

"You brought this all on yourself, you know." 

I looked up. "So?" I mumbled. 

Published by Catnip Publishing in July 2016

Pages - 297

Summary

Since the accident, Angela has been alone. When she is invited on holiday with her cousins, it is her chance to be part of a family again if she promises to behave herself. But secrets lie in the walls of the crumbling French holiday home and the forbidden rooms draw Angela in. Soon night-time footsteps, flickering candlelight and shadows in windows lead her to a boy who needs her help. To save him Angela must discover the truth about what happened in the house all those years ago . . . and face the terrible secret of her own past.

*****
I've been really excited about this book since I first heard about it. Not only is the story intriguing, but it is also written by one of my lovely Book Bounder friends, Sarah Baker. I am so pleased to see another one of my friends published and well deserved too. I always worry about reviewing books by people I know, but I really shouldn't have worried. 
The story is set in France in an old, enchanting house. Angela has been whipped out of the children's home, where she has lived since her parent's passed away, by her Aunt Cece, who claims to want to give her a fresh start. 
Aunt Cece is far from nice to Angela and you can't help but wonder what her real motive is.  The rest of the family treat Angela rather cruelly too and Angela seeks solace in the forbidden part of the house, where she finds Julien, a kindred spirit. 
The friendship between Julien and Angela is beautiful.They quickly learn to trust each other and both grow in strength from their bond. 
The book is magical right from the start. Bringing back to life a classical style similar to Tom's Midnight Garden, you lose yourself in the detailed descriptions that beautifully enhance the reading experience. Yes, it is a ghost story, but it warms your heart rather than scares you witless. It makes you want to read all the classical tales from your childhood again. 
If you're a fan of Emma Carroll, then you really will enjoy this book too. Sarah is definitely a debut to keep watching out for. I can't wait for more adventures with Angela soon. 

Guest Review @bysarahbaker : Lying About Last Summer by Sue Wallman

My sister doesn’t use the word disappear, but that’s what she means. She squats barefooted by the side of the swimming pool and says, “Go to your room, Skye, and stay there until I say.”

Published by Scholastic, May 2016 

272 pages in paperback.

Cover by Sean Williams @seanmwilliams

Summary from Amazon:

Skye is looking for an escape from the reality of last summer when her sister died in a tragic accident. Her parents think that a camp for troubled teenagers might help her process her grief. All of the kids at the summer camp have lost someone close, but is bringing them together such a good idea? And can everyone at camp be trusted? When Skye starts receiving text messages from someone pretending to be her dead sister, she knows it's time to confront the past. But what if the danger is right in front of her?

*****

Lying About Last Summer is a fast paced YA thriller that deals with the death of a sibling in a moving and very skillful way. We follow Skye’s journey through her grief as she attempts to come to terms with what really happened to her sister, Luisa. 

Part of her mourning process takes her to Morley Hill, an activity-led bereavement camp for teens, and it’s here that she begins to receive text messages from someone pretending to be her dead sister. With plenty of potential suspects surrounding her, from the incorrigible Danielle to the possibly too good to be true Brandon, and Joe, the caring hunk with hugs and advice on tap, Skye’s paranoia reaches tipping point. 

The adventure camp setting is a clever device to highlight the very different and subtle ways in which teens grieve and it’s both realistic and refreshing. The characters are vivid, funny, often witty and all are very well drawn, with some even coming to feel like old friends by the end.  Similarly, Skye’s struggle to come to terms with Luisa’s death lays bare her internal battle when it comes to responsibility. You wonder all the way through if it’s grief driving her fears or something else.  

The story is well crafted with hints of romance, and tentative, fragile friendships jostling for space between the present and the past. With plenty of twists and turns, Lying About Last Summer is a gripping thriller with sinister undertones that’ll keep you guessing right till the end, and rooting for Skye all the way. It’s a perfect summer read. Just make sure you’ve got time to read it in one gulp, because you won’t want to put it down.

---

Sarah Baker has worked extensively in film, with roles at Aardman Features and the Bermuda Film Festival, and as Story Editor at Celador Films. She has also been a writer and blogger for vintage fashion magazines. Sarah currently lives in London with her son. THROUGH THE MIRROR DOOR is her first book, a time-slip novel for 9+ that’s perfect for fans of Emma Carroll, Katherine Rundell and Robin Stevens.

Website: bysarahbaker.com

Twitter: @bysarahbaker

Instagram: @bysarahbaker

Pinterest: pinterest.com/bysarahbaker

Chuck a Book With Sarah Baker

I am pleased to welcome Book Bounder pal, debut author, Sarah Baker to take part in Chuck a Book. Sarah's debut novel, Through The Mirror Door is published by Catnip this week. 

The best book you have ever read

How difficult is this? Okay, Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, and Bring up the Bodies by Hilary Mantel. So brilliant, so clever. The best children’s book is I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. No wait, The Box of Delights by John Masefield. No, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman. No, hang on, all of them (sorry).

A Book you loved from your childhood

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen by Alan Garner. My year 5 teacher Mrs Morris read it to us in the afternoons and I fell in love with Garner’s stories.

A book that made you laugh

Pretty much anything and everything by David Sedaris. When You Are Engulfed in Flames made me snort with laughter on the tube, but as it’s London, nobody noticed. 

A book you could not finish

Okay so I have this thing where I can’t not finish a book, even if I’m really not enjoying it. Imagine Monica in Friends not being able to tidy. It’s like that. Luckily it happens very rarely because I get such great recommendations. Not good enough? Oh alright, I haven’t finished Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I tried, I really did, but it’s over 1,000 pages and I was 17 and it was summer. I like to think I’ll try again sometime…

A book that made you swoon

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen. Mr. Darcy. Enough said. 

A book you can’t wait to read

The Speed of Darkness by Catherine Fisher. I’m longing to know how this brilliant series ends. 

A series you have read and loved

I recently discovered the Lockwood and Co books by Jonathan Stroud and am now a big fan. It’s such a brilliant, original idea with wonderful characters and fantastic plots. I really hope there are lots more books to come…

A book that made you cry

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman. I sobbed at the last scene between Lyra and Will. Oh and in The Subtle Knife when Hester and Lee Scoresby… oops, spoilers. I’ll stop there.

Your guilty pleasure book

Any of the Harry Potter books. They’re perfect for when you need to curl up under a duvet and pretend you’ve just got your Hogwarts letter.

A book that took you out of your comfort zone

This would be Soulless by Gail Carriger. It’s the first book in her Parasol Protectorate series. It’s a steampunk paranormal romance and like nothing I’d ever read. Imagine a Victorian London filled with vampires, werewolves and a big dollop of cheekiness. So much fun.

******

Summary

Life hasn’t been great for Angela since tragedy took her family away. But Angela is given once last chance when she is invited on holiday with her Aunt Cece and her bratty cousins Kitty and Fliss. 

Angela tries to behave herself, but she knows secrets lie in the walls of their crumbling French holiday home. Soon night time foot steps, flickering candlelight and shadows in windows lead Angela to Julien - a boy who needs her help. But is it too late? Through saving Julien can Angela save herself?

To find out more about Sarah Baker:

Twitter / Website

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Cover Reveal: Through The Mirror Door by Sarah Baker

I'm so pleased to be able to share with you a cover reveal for one of my favourite people, debut author, Sarah Baker. Her first Middle Grade novel, Through The Mirror Door will be published by Catnip on the 7th of July. 

So here it is...

Isn't it gorgeous????

I absolutely love it. I asked Sarah what she thought of her cover and this is what she said. 

First things first: I LOVE this cover.

For me, it perfectly encapsulates Through the Mirror Door. It’s haunting, it’s a little bit dark and there are plenty of secrets to be discovered within. Angela is just how I imagined, the trees and wildflowers are exquisite, and the reflection of the house, which shows you a slightly different image, is so very clever. Of course you’ll have to read the book to find out why, but wow, I love everything about this cover.

A huge thank you to Jessica Courtney Tickle and Will Steele for creating something so beautiful and to Catnip Books for finding them. I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Oh and did you see my name at the bottom? My name. On a book. This is suddenly very real and extremely exciting.

*happy debut author face*

I also asked Sarah's agent, Bryony Wood, for her thoughts on the cover.

It’s always a nervous moment, as an agent, when you get an email with that first early look at a cover design for one of your clients - especially when it’s an author’s debut! 

When I saw the cover for THROUGH THE MIRROR DOOR I was on a train. And it was so stunning I audibly gasped (and received quite a few curious stares from other passengers!). It reflects the tone of this book - dark and haunting, but with an intense streak of beauty and hope that shines through powerfully - absolutely perfectly. I adore the artwork; Jessica Courtney Tickle is a wonderfully talented illustrator and has done a brilliant job bringing Angela and the house to life and reflecting Sarah’s beautiful writing.

Sarah emailed me straight away to say “I LOVE LOVE LOVE it” and I knew we were on to a winner. I can’t wait to see it in bookshops on July 7th!

****

Personally, I can't wait to get my hands on this book. Roll on July 7th!

If you like the cover, let Sarah know on Twitter at @bysarahbaker

You can connect with and find out more about SARAH BAKER in the following places: 

Website 

Twitter 

Pinterest 

Instagram 

Debut 2016 - Day 3 - Sarah Baker

Welcome to Day 3 of the Debuts 2016 series and I am so pleased to welcome a good friend onto the blog. Sarah Baker. Sarah's debut Middle Grade novel, Through The Mirror Door, will be published by Catnip in May this year. As of yet, there is no cover reveal.

What did you do when you found you were going to be published?

I gave a little squeak and ran round the living room. Carefully though, because I was eight and half months pregnant at the time.

How have you kept yourself occupied in the run up to publication day?

I've been kept very busy looking after my baby boy and writing the first draft of my second book, a prequel to Through The Mirror Door, while he's napping. 

Who did you first tell about your book deal?

My sister, Rachael. She was the one who encouraged me to start writing all my stories down and she's been cheering me on ever since (even after reading countless drafts of said stories). 

 How will you spend publication day?

Ooh unless there's a party I don't know about yet, I shall probably be writing and/or entertaining a small boy. I expect I'll be chatting on Twitter though. Ooh, Twitter party anyone? I'll bring cake.

 What advice would you give to unagented and unpublished authors?

Keep going and expect to be in it for the long haul. Through the Mirror Door isn't the first book I ever wrote (that one will stay in the secret draw of best forgotten things). Ask for help too. One of the best things I ever did was go on the Book Bound Retreat. I learned so much, got my manuscript in good enough shape to send out to agents (and got one) and I made the very best writer friends who support, encourage and cheer each other on through the good and not so good times.

***

Thank you Sarah. I totally agree with Sarah about the BookBound retreat. If you get the opportunity to go on it this year, then definitely go.