Description
A heartwarming verse novel from beloved Australian children's author Deborah Abela.
Ms Skye thinks kids can change the world
with a Kindness Project.
Nicolette wants to
but how can she
when Layla treats her like she's invisible
and DJ picks on everything she says?
Leaf thinks Nicolette can be a
superhero.
So maybe
if they work together
they just might do it.
Review
Nicolette prefers to keep to herself at school. Layla ignores her anyway and DJ is the class bully who everyone tries to keep away from. The new boy, Leaf, sits next to her and does amazing drawings of superheroes but she still tries to make herself invisible.
Nicolette’s favorite person in the whole world is her Nanna who lives in a nursing home that Nanna and Nicolette have nicknamed Alcatraz, as it is like a prison. Nicolette hates seeing her Nanna so miserable so they hatch a plan to escape for the day to the beach. Everything works perfectly and they are having a lovely day until it’s time to go home and Nanna gets scared and confused. When Nicolette finally gets them back to the nursing home, the police are looking for them and her mum is furious and bans her from seeing her Nanna any more. Nicolette is so sad and upset.
Nicolette loves her teacher Ms Skye, but when she announces that the class is doing a group project called the Kindness Project and they are going to change the world she is horrified that her group is Layla, DJ and Leaf. They have nothing in common, and for the first few classes they all sit and say nothing, except for DJ laughing at every idea they come up with. That is until DJ and the rest find out about her escape plan with her Nanna, which they think is great.
They soon find they have lots in common and a friendship quickly develops between them as they all work on their project together. Nicolette is still not sure that four kids can change the world, but she knows the Kindness Project has changed them so maybe they can!
This is a beautiful story told in verse. With wonderful characters, it is very relatable and has strong themes of friendship and family throughout, lots of fun and laughter, as well as a few tears. This is Deb Abela at her very best and will be a story you remember long after you finish reading. I loved it.
Perfect for all ages nine and up.
