Who said you can't judge a book by its cover??
When I first saw the cover of this book, I knew it was going to be special. Frances Watts is an exquisite writer, capable of creating engaging characters and shaping entertaining and thought-provoking stories. However, I really think it was the illustration gracing the cover that first captured my attention. Throughout the book, the rich colour palette and expressive characters were the perfect accompaniment to Watts' lyrical and alliterative text. 
With themes of persistence, friendship and embracing life's unexpected twists and turns, this book certainly met, and possibly exceeded, my expectations.
​Highly, highly recommended.

Sick Bay, by Nova Weetman, was on my radar after it kept popping up on my social media feeds with rave reviews. I must confess, I had never read any of Nova's works before, mostly because her books were always on loan from the library. When I read the synopsis of the story, I knew it was a must-read. What a great pretext to bring together two unlikely characters, in a very unglamorous setting.
This book was selected for our first-ever Y6/Significant Other book club, and it was a perfect choice. Nova has an uncanny ability to scratch beneath the surface of the mind of a Year 6 girl, effortlessly uncovering what makes her tick and her perceptions of the world.
This book was a delight to read. Unlike many children's novels which seem to remove the parents to see how a child survives, the parents in Sick Bay play a crucial role throughout the story, and also demonstrate that growth and resilience can develop at any age.
Congratulations to Nova for crafting together such a beautiful, moving and thought-provoking novel. It is a beautiful vehicle to explore empathy, friendship, courage and the concept of what it is to be 'normal'. 
​Highly recommended.