SuitabookIn the garage
Alma Fullerton
- Reading
- Consider reading it alongside the young person, pausing when rumours, prejudice or betrayal become central. Discuss reactions rather than demanding agreement, and leave room to talk after the devastating incident and unclear ending.
- Themes
- Belonging and appearance: BJ feels insecure about a facial birthmark and her weight, and has been taunted by peers. The treatment presents cruelty and exclusion as damaging rather than harmless, while BJ’s vulnerability remains central.
- Friendship and betrayal: BJ is drawn away from Alex by two girls and is persuaded to steal his journal. The book takes a critical view of this.
- Identity, love and prejudice: Alex develops feelings for bandmate David, while gossip and prejudice affect the friendship group. The book’s stance on this remains unclear.
- Worth knowing
- Pay attention to the treatment of appearance-based taunts, exclusion, gossip, betrayal and the devastating final incident. The opening and ending may involve grief, while the emotional intensity increases as BJ’s choices have consequences.