Changes

The minute Suzanne walks into her new Saturday job, her heart sinks. The junior stylist in the salon is none other than Karenna Sheldon, the Karenna Sheldon who made Suzanne’s life a misery a few years back. Since then things have changed – the school has a new headteacher, who takes a much firmer line on bullying, for a start – but the second she sets eyes on Karenna, newly confident 16 -year -old Suzanne reverts to the nervous 12 -year -old she use used to be.

In addition to bullying, this book touches on domestic violence, binge drinking and even teenage pregnancy, albeit only everso slightyever so slightly. That’s quite a lot of grief and drama to fit into 123 pages, and because of this most of these themes get only the briefest of mentions which is a bit odd for a book aimed at teenagers, as these often seem to wallow in such subjects. The topics are quite serious, but the story stays light thanks to Suzanne’s humour and insight into her situation.

The story doesn’t really go anywhere, and it’s much more about looking back than looking forward, but I did warm to the characters, and found it a very quick, easy read. It did seem a bit more like an extended short story than an intentional novel though.

I’ve given it 4 stars because I liked it, but put it as a “maybe” ''maybe'' buy, because I’m not sure it’s the sort of story you’d want to read again and again, so maybe more of a library borrow than a bookshop buy.

For another look at the effects of bullying , The Bookbag can recommend [[The Knife That Killed Me by Anthony McGowan]] or teenage girls might appreciate the factual advise advice given in [[Think Pink by Lisa Clark]]. You might also appreciate [[We Are Not Okay by Natalia Gomes]].