Description
Mel has everything to lose – but how can she stand back when she knows something’s not right?
Within the pages of a stolen diary, Melati discovers a coded cry for help – the diary belongs to Devi, an Indonesian teenager who is being held by traffickers. Mel races across the island of Java and against the clock to work out Devi’s identity and where she's being held. Before long the pieces fall into place and Mel must put her own life on the line to save a girl she’s never met.
Review
Mel starts at a new school and is trying to start afresh, after being caught up in serious trouble. No one knows her past, and she wants to keep it that way.
But her fierce and rebellious streak can’t be hidden forever, and when she gets under the skin of rich and privileged girl Libby, life becomes interesting!
When Mel is snooping through Libby’s file in the school counsellor’s office, she discovers a mysterious diary and suddenly finds herself caught up in a mystery that she can’t let go of, even though the consequences could be dire.
Her school trip to Indonesia allows Mel the chance to try and piece together the clues in the diary that she found, and to try to find out who Devi is and what has happened to her.
She makes friends with a traveller, Michael, who also happens to be from Melbourne, and together they embark on a dangerous journey to find the truth. But is this an insurmountable task?
Upon their return to Melbourne, the mystery only deepens with many twists and turns...
Mel is a great character. She is rebellious and you will find yourself at times questioning why she is making the decisions that she does, but deep down she just desperately wants justice to be done.
With themes of making amends, forgiveness, ethics, privilege, responsibility, friendship, and sex trafficking, this is a gripping story that will suit readers aged 14 and above.
Reviewed by Sam
