F.R.E.A.K
For Mallow, every day is a Bad Hair Day.
Wearing a wig means Mallow can hide her hair loss. But now someone’s sending her creepy messages. It’s a race to stop them before everyone discovers her secret.
Losing her hair was hard enough – but will she lose the people she cares about too?
- Back Cover Blurb
Injections: check
- First Sentence, Chapter One
A 'sleepover' at Faye's house conjured up nightmare images of her German shepherd, Duke (more wolf than dog by the look of the photo on her Chat-Scape profile), waking me up as he mauled my wig. I could just see the looks of sheer horror on Faye's and Em's faces.
- Memorable Moment, Page 56.
SOURCE ... Received with thanks from the author.
READ FOR A CHALLENGE? ... No.
MY THOUGHTS ... Proof, as if there were ever any doubts after the author's award winning debut novel, Shadow Jumper, that J.M. Forster gets right into the heart of stories featuring young people who just so happen to have health issues.
A mystery (someone knows Mallow's 'secret' but who?) but, for me, firstly a foremostly, a novel of discovery, of coming to terms with being you.
Bad Hair Days is a wonderful read but more than that its inspiring. Its main character, 14 year old Mallow, a revelation to all those who feel as if they don't fit in, that they too are different.
Marketed at an audience of 10 to 12 year olds, its a gripping, emotional, sensitively written read featuring so many issues including bullying, family, friendships, insecurity, all wrapped up in a story about a teenager who as well as dealing with all the 'usual' teenage angst is having to cope with the emotional (and practical) issues of having the hair loss condition, alopecia.
In short, its exactly the sort of thought provoking story that I'd encourage all children to read.
10 comments:
This sounds like a meaningful read. I am glad you liked it, Tracy. I am adding this to my wish list.
Sounds like an excellent book for young children to read. I may even get it for my Granddaughter. Okay she has a few years to go yet, but still.
Great review Tracy. The book's story and theme sound really good and really important. It can be so difficult for a young person who feels that they do not belong.
At first I thought this was an adult book about female pattern baldness (which both my mother and sister dealt with), but either way... adult OR childhood issues, it sounds like a great way to educate others about the challenges of looking different and fitting in to this judgmental world of ours. Nice review, Tracy.
I have a close friend who has alopecia. All of sudden in the course of 2 weeks (in her early 40s) she lost all of her hair. She has a severe case (she was told) and her hair will never grow back. She does have a wig, but rarely uses it because it isn't comfortable and our school (where we work) is not airconditioned- so many months it is way too hot to wear it. In the past year her middle school son has lost a lot of his hair. This sounds like a powerful book and inspirational book. Thanks for sharing.
This sounds like a worthwhile story for young teens. Terrific review, Tracy!
Tracy,
This sounds like a truly meaningful
book and I will add it to my list.
And thank you for your excellent review.
Raven
That's great! I didn't even know about it
Excellent review Tracey. I'll see if my library has this one.
This sounds like a good read.
Did my card arrive btw?
Post a Comment