Lizzie's Leaving

Lingard has always reliably entertained - most notably with her Kevin and Sadie titles (the human face of Northern Ireland's troubles). This new novel tells the story of Lizzie's departure from what she sees as the insoluble problems of home and family (mother, stepfather and stepsiblings) to live with her real father and his family. Inevitably, she inherits a whole new set of problems. Lizzie's journey from exhilaration to pragmatism is wholly absorbing: there is something very satisfying about unravelling a master story-teller's thread. This is a rich and rewarding book for Year 9 readers and beyond.