Game Changer

The ever-consistent Tim Bowler has yet again produced another compelling book on the teenage condition. Mikey is fearful of light and of open spaces but has the unwavering love and support of his sister, Meggie, to rely on. With this in mind he makes the decision to go with her to the loudest, busiest, brightest place he can think of-the fairground-and begin to face his fears.

However, the plan backfires when he is briefly alone, sees something dreadful being done and is spotted by the perpetrators, who then bombard him with threatening texts. Mikey draws strength from his sister's support and challenges the gang-until they kidnap Meggie and demand a meeting, a meeting which is a trap.

Bowler then takes the reader on a frantic physical and emotional journey as Mikey battles both the gang and his demons to save his sister's life. He has little thought of saving his own but is determined that the person he loves most should not suffer. His only option is to try to persuade one of the gang members-his best friend's sister-to return to her senses and let them escape. When the gang discover her betrayal, they kill her and the game seems up for brother and sister.

Bowler explores the concepts of friendship and loyalty, love and duty. Mikey`s father seems initially only able to do his duty by his son, whereas his mother is more emotionally involved. His peers ridicule or avoid him, his teachers too often feel that they cannot meet his needs. Meggie`s love is simply unconditional, the cornerstone of his life and Bowler makes her wholly believable, feisty and good-humoured. The reckoning at the end of the book results in a positive readjustment of family ties, yet cleverly avoids the rather vacuous ploy of neatly tying loose ends.