Books by Anne Fine
Style: Good
Attitude: Positive
Bonny's family has only just moved into the area, her Dad's stuck in a lay-by somewhere and her mother has to take a bookkeeping course at the community centre so Bonny is signed up for an all-day Charm School.
Light-hearted dig at the obsessive preoccupation of young girls with their appearance
Growing-Up, Humorous
Style: Weak
Attitude: Unobjectionable
Helen is upset about her mother's boyfriend; her friend tells Helen of the difficulties she had coming to terms with her own mother's "boyfriend" (both are middle-aged) whom she nicknames "Goggle Eyes".
Coping with, Family
Style: Average
Attitude: Unobjectionable
Ralph's family have invited the relatives around for Christmas Day, although not certain relatives who turn up anyway, and Ralph weaves his way skilfully through the chaos which ensues, trying to keep his own end up in the face of variously annoying relatives.
Family, Humorous
Style: Good
Attitude: Unobjectionable
Five children are waiting in an old house for the rest of their school group to arrive.
Making the best of divorced family situations.
Growing-Up
Style: Outstanding
Attitude: Positive
The narrative is led by Ian, a 14-year-old schoolboy, at the hospital bed of his best friend Stolly (Stuart Terence Oliver) who's just recovering from a serious fall, which may or may not have been from an attempt at suicide, which has left him with breaks and bruises and concussed.
Play-like appreciation of the life of an unusual boy; the support and friendship of the main characters and their families. Possible suicide attempt.
Coping with, Friendship, Growing-Up, Humorous