Two is a Crowd

About this book

Hattie’s move to secondary school is not going quite as she hoped. Her best friend seems to have found someone else, she hasn't make the football team, and her dad appears to have forgotten his promise to let her have her own room. Then, just as she is already feeling unsure about herself, Seren, the daughter of her mum’s best friend, comes to stay.

Hattie has always liked the idea of having a sister, but Seren is not quite what she imagined. Quiet, distant and hard to read, Seren soon begins taking up more and more space at home, leaving Hattie feeling pushed out and increasingly unsure how to put things right.

Cath Howe writes with real warmth and insight about jealousy, change and the fear of being left behind. Hattie is a really well drawn and likeable character with the best intentions that don't always work out. She makes plenty of mistakes, showing how easily hurt feelings can turn into poor choices, but the book remains gentle, funny and hopeful throughout.

With short chapters and lively illustrations, this is an accessible and engaging read for children growing in confidence, and would also work well as a class read for Year 6 pupils preparing for the move to secondary school. Warm, relatable and very readable.