Description
First job. First crush. But it's complicated. A sweet and charming middle-grade romance from bestselling and beloved author Nova Weetman.
It's the end of Year 7 and Tess wants a summer job. She's keen to earn her own money and buy her own clothes. But her mum has other ideas- it looks like Tess will be stuck at home babysitting her twin brothers.
Thirteen-year-old Sonny is tired of moving around. With his dad up north, he's staying with his uncle and aunt above their fish and chip shop. And it just so happens his uncle is hiring extra staff for the holidays.
When Sonny and Tess crash into each other outside the shop, sparks and dim sims fly. Soon they're both wondering if the other feels the same way - but, as Sonny loves to say, it's complicated.
Over hot chips and chicken salt, can these two work out what they really want?
Perfect for readers 11 years and older, Sonny & Tess is a delightful, age-appropriate romance that will captivate fans of To All the Boys I've Loved Before.
Review
Sonny's family is complicated. He lives with his uncle and aunt above their fish and chip shop. At least, he does at the moment anyway - his mum moved overseas years ago and she has a whole new family now, and his dad is a geologist who can never seem to stay in one place. Sonny doesn't mind so much though. He likes staying with Frank and Marion, and working in the fish and chip shop. He's even decided to start at the local school that his friend, Tin, goes to - even though it's only for the last four weeks of school.
Tess, on the other hand, is desperate to get out of the house. It's almost the end of Year 7, and she wants to hang out with her friends, get a job, and buy her own things, like vintage clothes. She definitely does not want to be stuck at home looking after her twin brothers because her parents are too busy working, again.
When Sonny literally crashes his bike into Tess (dim sim in his mouth and all), the least he can do is help her get the job she wants at the fish and chip shop. Sonny immediately likes Tess, and Tess immediately likes Sonny, and fate does seem to keep throwing them together... Will they ever admit their true feelings for each other?
This is a sweet and delightful story about growing up, first love, friendship and finding out what truly matters. It beautifully explores the meaning and complexity of family - what families do for each other, what they owe each other, and what family really means. Told in alternating chapters from Sonny and Tess, the reader knows how they feel about each other well before they do (and so do those around them). With a wonderful cast of characters, all facing their own challenges, this is a lovely, funny and age-appropriate romance. Suitable for all readers in the lower secondary and upper primary year levels.
Teacher notes prepared by the publisher are available on our website for this title.
