Alice Again

Megan is spending half term with her best friend Alice in Dublin. Looking forward to lots of fun, she finds Alice distraught at the evidence of a boyfriend in her newly-divorced mum’s life. Dragging Megan after her, she sets off to find out about the mysterious ‘Norman’, who meets up with her mum every morning. Leaping from one conclusion to another, she sets out to sabotage the supposed relationship. Eventually all is revealed – Norman is a life coach; Mum has realised that you can’t run away from problems and the family will move back to Limerick to be near their Dad, clearing the way for another book in the series, no doubt.

Alice’s antics will appeal to many who would like to dare to do the same – and for those in a similar situation, the emotions expressed will be all too familiar. The dilemma faced by Megan, whose loyalty to her friend is stretched to the limit here, and whose more detached morality acts as a counterbalance to Alice’s wilder moments, may chime with those supporting a friend in difficult circumstances.

The general style, illustrations and all, suggests a more humorous, securely middle-class Jacqueline Wilson clone – enjoyable, light-hearted and much less gritty.