Description
Sixteen-year-old Sunny Maguire is dreading the school holidays. She used to love visiting her grandmother's farm but ever since her mother died in a tragic car accident, Sunny doesn't feel at home anywhere anymore and the farm is a constant reminder of what she has lost. She knows it's going to be a long summer. Worse, she has to spend it with her distant stepfather, Kevin, the only 'family' she has left.
On her return to the small town of Kelly's Crossing, Sunny is distracted by a new resident - Matthew Bright - and the disappearance of local teenager Dylan Koslovski. She gets involved in the search for Dylan along the mysterious Constant Creek Gorge, a beautiful location tainted by tragic drownings. Complications arise when Kevin becomes a suspect in the case and rumours begin to circulate.
Sunny doesn't trust him and she's beginning to lose faith in herself, too, especially when she starts to see her mother's ghost.
Review
Sunny is a sixteen-year-old who goes to boarding school during term and returns to Kelly’s Crossing for the holidays, a small country town where everyone knows each other.
These holidays will be difficult, as it is the first time she has been back since her Mum died in a car accident. The only family she has left is her stepdad, Kevin, and she blames him for the accident.
Life becomes more complicated when local boy Dylan goes missing and Kevin becomes a suspect. And where does gorgeous Matthew Bright, a newcomer to town fit in, and why does her Mum keep appearing to her?
This is a brilliant debut novel by Australian author Fiona Bell. An intriguing storyline that deals with grief, loss, family and friendship.
You will love Sunny, Matthew and Kevin, and will relate to Sunny’s struggles. The story and language is very accessible, and deals with emotional topic of the death of a parent with sensitivity. Sunny goes through so many emotions, and this is handled really well.
Highly recommended for girls in Year 9 and up.
Reviewed by Michelle
