Cover Story: Families

Here are our librarians' picks:

The Look

Sophia Bennett

Ted thinks she is odd-looking, with her gawky limbs and caterpillar eyebrows; it’s her sister Ava who is the beautiful, self-confident one. Then a model agency scout tells Ted she has what they’re looking for and before she knows it she is swept up in the glamorous world of modelling. But there is a problem; Ava discovers that she has cancer and as she starts her gruelling treatment Ted has to make a tough choice between her new career and her sister. Switching between the stories of the two sisters, this is an emotional, gripping and entertaining read.

9781906427917 Chicken House 2012

Fifteen Days Without a Head

Dave Cousins

Laurence would love to lead a normal life but it is difficult when your mother is an alcoholic who spends all the money on booze and your annoying little brother thinks he is a dog. Then his mother disappears. How can he track her down while convincing the school and Nosy Nelly next door that everything is okay? Laurence has to get creative, even if it means dressing up as his mother to fool people.

This is an entertaining story with a great central character that is in turn funny, heart-warming and sad.

9780192732569 Oxford University Press 2012

The Flask

Nicky Singer

Twelve-year-old Jess is grieving for her favourite aunt when she discovers a strange glass flask hidden in the back of a desk drawer. Jess’s mum is pregnant with twins and when they are born critically ill it becomes apparent that the mysterious flask and its contents are somehow linked to their birth. Nicky Singer’s captivating story of family, friendship and love contains moments that will make you laugh and cry. An intriguing and life-affirming book.

9780007438785 HarperCollins 2012