The Guilty Party

Another of Joan Lingard's fiery heronies here, fighting for a cause she believes in. It's not Sadie, this time, trying to overcome the senseless divide in Northern Ireland but Jodie, determined to prevent the opening of a nuclear power plant in her town. She campaigns vigorously, finally deciding to go to prison rather than quietly pay the fine a charge of obstruction has brought her. The issue of principles versus politics is a compelling and important one, but often inaccessible to teenagers. The brisk pace of the plot, allied with Lingard's no-nonsense approach to dialogue, gives an immediacy which is refreshing. There are no formulae here, no easy solutions, but a determined and level-headed attempt to explore and expose controversial issues - nuclear power, treatment of prisoners by police and prison service and, above all, an examination of the difficulties strong personal convictions can cause in relationships. This book should be made available to third-years upwards - it instructs, informs and engrosses the reader in a most acceptable way.