Description
Clem Timmins can't wait to see her best friends after being apart all summer holidays. But when they get back together, things have changed. Bridge is boy-crazy and acting like a different person. Ellie is wearing a bra and having a real-life romance. Clem feels left behind. When she makes friends with Tom, suddenly everyone's gossiping about whether they're going to be a couple. Clem's got no interest in having a boyfriend. Or does she?
At school camp, Bridge crosses the line and Clem has to ask herself - can she keep growing up with her friends when they're growing apart?
This story of fitting in and falling out perfectly captures how it feels to balance on the edge of who you are and who you want to be.
Review
Clem is just about to start Year 8, and things have changed. Her best friends, Bridge and Ellie, seem to be growing up much faster than she is and she can feel them growing apart.
Clem has a loving family but her Mum is very protective, and struggles with letting Clem have the things that her friends have - like a mobile phone and lnstagram. The gap between Clem and her friends just seems to be getting larger!
When Clem starts to develop new friendships with Tom, and also with Jacqs, it seems like school camp is suddenly going to be interesting...
Clem is wonderful character and many readers will thoroughly relate to what is happening in her life. The struggles that young people face navigating the world between childhood and adulthood are superbly portrayed in this story. With issues of changing friendships, puberty, fitting in, and having the courage to be who you really are, this is a story that readers will love.
It will be particularly enjoyed by junior to middle secondary students.
Reviewed by Sam
Teacher Notes prepared by the publisher are available for this title on our website.
