Saturday. A tempting pile of books arrive for review. The first one to catch my eye because of its stunning cover, was Kyla by Frances Cherry. I put it on top of the pile to read first because the last book I read of Cherry’s (Flashpoint) was great. Easter Sunday. I was planning to go to church as is my custom. I sat down in front of the fire and began …. A couple of hours later, hubby comes into the living room: thought we were going to church, he said. Oops! I had sniffed and snuffled my way through the first five chapters and then wanted to slap Kyla in Chapter seven.

By chapter eleven I want to wade into her life to sit everyone down and give them a sound talking to. This is a fabulous read: Kyla’s beloved grandmother has just died and now she has to leave everything she loves to live with her ‘nasty’ Auntie in Wellington. Of course her aunt is not nasty – just grieving the loss of her mother and struggling with suddenly acquiring a teenager into her childless life.

Action wise, not a lot happens save a runaway incident but story wise – so much happens. Mothers and teachers will recognise the behaviour of Kyla; young girls will understand Kyla’s frustrations. This a wonderful novel to get as a present for your pre-teens and for the library. Happy ending to satisfy the most cynical of us – promise.

Tania Roxborogh. Otago Daily Times, April 2009.