Every Shiny Thing
by Cordelia Jensen and Laurie Morrison
Interest age: 11 to 14
Reading age: 11+
Published by Abrams, 2018
About this book
Lauren is struggling with her parents’ decision to send her older brother (who is on the autistic spectrum) to a new residential school. Meanwhile, Sierra has just moved into the street, to live with foster parents. The two girls are very different but quickly become firm friends.
In a well-intentioned attempt to channel her strongly held views about social injustice, Lauren concocts a plan to raise money for families who cannot afford therapeutic support for their autistic children. However, Lauren’s "Robin Hood" style approach to her fundraising puts their friendship under pressure and sees loyalties challenged.
With alternating narratives (Sierra’s in verse, Lauren’s in prose), the girls’ very different voices are both engaging and powerful. Alcohol addiction, non-traditional families, bereavement and social inequality are just some of the themes in this unusual coming-of-age story about trying to find the right way to help others and make a difference in the world.
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Lists of recommended reads
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Books about children in foster care
Sometimes children need to be looked after by a foster carer – and every child deserves books with characters who have experienced something similar to them. Here is a selection of brilliant stories that all children will enjoy reading, with main characters who've been fostered.
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Autism
We believe that books are a great way to raise awareness and improve understanding of different experiences. This booklist aims to provide a range of children's and teens' books that feature characters who are autistic, or who have Autistic Spectrum Conditions.