Description
A sensitive, timely story addressing loss and belonging.
To Queenie, home is Peachy, the little house where she’s lived forever. But when she and her mum have to leave Peachy, Queenie discovers that home isn’t a place at all. It’s making new friends and reconnecting with old ones, letting yourself be uncomfortable, and finding the courage to share your song with the world.
Review
Queenie has always lived in Peachy, her home. But Queenie and her Mum are renting and with the property market booming Beryl - their landlady, babysitter and friend - has decided that the time is right to sell up and move on. This leads Queenie and her Mum to go through seven moves in about seven weeks - some ok and some not!
First, they move into the retirement home where her Mum works, but this could only last for two weeks while they had a spare room. Queenie loves it here and makes great friends, particularly with 92-year-old Audrey. Audrey has a crush on fellow resident Walter, and Queenie manages to persuade her to serenade him. In the process, Queenie realises that love is not age-restricted, and both Queenie and Audrey must overcome their fear of performing.
Queenie also quite likes living at the home of her classmate and chess wizard Dory, but sharing a room and being discovered sharing a first kiss with him quickly has them back on the move…
They eventually move into the amazing home of Dimitri, her Mum’s new boyfriend, but Queenie is not sure that this is the answer.
Queenie has many life experiences during this time, but she is sure ready to move into their own place.
This is a wonderful story exploring loss, the reality of housing insecurity, that also tackles growing up, facing your fears and making friends, that is best suited to readers aged 10 - 13 years.
Reviewed by Rob
