SuitabookHave a little faith
Candy Harper
- Reading
- Read alongside the child, pausing after major schemes or friendship tensions to ask what Faith knows, what she assumes and what might happen next. Revisit the ending to discuss consequences and changed relationships.
- Themes
- Friendship and rivalry: Faith is separated from Megs at school, while choir arrangements place her near a girl she calls her sworn enemy. The book?s stance on this remains unclear.
- Romantic attention and adolescent self-understanding: Faith wants Finn to recognise her romantically and wonders how teenage boys think while taking part in the choir. The book?s stance on this remains unclear.
- Humour, rules and consequences: Faith describes teacher trouble, embarrassing situations, squeezy cheese and underage driving as part of her attempts to manage school and romantic problems. The framing is comic, but it is not clear whether the narrative ultimately criticises, excuses or rewards Faith’s rule-breaking and schemes.
- Worth knowing
- The book brings together friendship strain, embarrassment, school authority, rivalry and a strong crush. Parents may wish to notice how Faith’s plans, including underage driving, are treated as the story develops.