One Extra Sparkle: Ellie and the Marriage List

It’s summer and Ellie just wants to hang out with her big brother Ben. She can’t wait to go hiking and to sit under her favourite tree drawing wildlife pictures together, like they always have. 

But things are changing, and this summer teenage Ben only seems to have eyes for cool neighbour Sara. Ellie’s worried he may forget he even has a sister – especially when the couple are spotted holding hands. So she and best friend Ling start hatching a scheme to make sure things don’t get too serious between the lovebirds.

It all starts to go a bit wrong, especially when their rather hair-brained plotting accidentally causes her parents to decide to chop down her beloved weeping willow tree... Can Ellie unravel the mess she’s made? 

Packed with humour and heart, this is the story of a determined 10-year-old learning about the inevitability of change and the unconditional love of family. The ‘extra sparkle’ of the title refers to the fact that Ellie has Down syndrome and the book is infused with convincing references without disability becoming a focus or plot feature.

An accessible and light-hearted chapter book with engaging black and white illustrations.