The Whisper

The childishness of the cover illustration belies the seriousness of the issues dealt with in this book. The Fry family take in Marie; orphaned, musically gifted and good-natured, she unknowingly presents a threat to the Frys' daughter, Lily, who defends her position in family and community by starting rumours. Having succeeded in driving Marie away, Lily realises how close they might have been and regrets her actions. Her repentance at the end is too self-indulgently complete to be wholly realistic, but 2nd and 3rd- year secondary girls will find this a thoughtful and absorbing read.