Shine by Kate Maryon

A new life in the country?

Review by Maryon

Tiff has everything she could want - 3 ipods, a drawer full of rings, bangles and necklaces, giant tv, her own laptop .... but has begun to realise that her Mum isn't necessarily bothering to PAY for them. Then one night Tiff sees Mum's 'business partner' Mikey on Crimewatch and when her Mum is arrested Tiff is sent to live with her unknown Aunt on Sark - a total dead end,'the most boring place on the planet', which Mum left in a hurry many years before and has never returned to .

Tiff has to leave her city life full of glitz, shopping and takeaways and swap to the totally quiet life of a remote island - with no cars, shopping malls or fast food - but where, instead of not being allowed out ever on their own, kids can roam free as much as they like. Hanging out watching DVDs, playing beauty make-overs and drinking pretend cocktails is swapped for bike rides, tree houses and, for the fortunate ones, horses. Tiff has to get to know her Mum's family, has to make new friends and discover why some people are not as friendly as others. But when she has built a new life will mum come back as her usual self and disrupt it all?

A great junior chick-lit read for girls of 9+ about being let down by those you depend on, up-rooting your life and having to make a new one in a strange place. Fans of Cathy Cassidy or the older Gwyneth Rees' books will love it.

One for fans of Cathy Cassidy

Maryom's review - 4.5 stars

Publisher - Harper Collins

Genre - Children's (Junior Chick Lit?)