SuitabookSecrecy, communication and community
Characters withhold truths because of shame and a wish to protect themselves or others; the story also highlights neighbours, friends and teachers noticing people around them.
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Book details
Jenny Downham and Louis Hill - Author
A contemporary family story that brings mystery, romance and social pressures together. Its emotional centre is the siblings’ struggle with grief, secrecy, anxiety, poverty and the possibility of finding joy and support.
Book Brief
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Sign in for personalised guidanceA contemporary family story that brings mystery, romance and social pressures together. Its emotional centre is the siblings’ struggle with grief, secrecy, anxiety, poverty and the possibility of finding joy and support.
Characters withhold truths because of shame and a wish to protect themselves or others; the story also highlights neighbours, friends and teachers noticing people around them.
Charlie finds it difficult to share his feelings and uses art as comfort while processing grief; the story also depicts ways the characters find joy.
Seventeen-year-old Leah is in love with someone older and technically unavailable; different sides of the affair and strong opinions about it are included.
Consider whether the reader would welcome a story involving hidden grief, a complicated relationship with an older unavailable person, anxiety, low self-esteem, poverty and family secrets.
This is a grounded book brief while Suitabook strengthens the analysis: another book-specific source is still needed.
Anything not established here remains open; it is not being treated as absent or safe.
These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.