(2) YA Fourteen-year-old Jono and his eight-year-old sister, Julie, run away after their alcoholic ma hits Julie. Jono seems like a reliable narrator until he's arrested. Facing assault, theft, and murder chargers, his story twists. The brief, tightly structured novel doesn't settle for an easy, happily-ever-after ending. Parkinson does, however, allow readers a credible hope for Julie and Jono's future.

Reviewer: Dean Schneider | Horn Book Magazine Issue: July, 2011

(2) 4-6 In this surprisingly funny novel about family, friendship, and death, outgoing Olivia helps her friend Hal with his plan to drive away his almost-stepfather. Their attempt misfires and results (they think) in chasing off Hal's mother. Olivia's singular personality comes through in her direct-address narration. Parkinson has an ability to sensitively depict young survivors as they move beyond loss. Glos.

Reviewer: Jennifer M. Brabander | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2008

(2) 4-6 Twelve-year-old Mags is a writer. Gillian is a violinist. They form a prickly friendship based on Gillian's desire to attend the prestigious Yehudi Menuhin school and Mags's determination to get Gillian's parents to send her. Mags is a true original, struggling to define herself against the stories she knows, and it's this ironic awareness that makes her so thoroughly appealing.

Reviewer: Vicky Smith | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2007

(1) 4-6 Girls of Many Lands series. A light hand, sharp wit, serious social issues, and a hint of subversion are ingredients in this lively story. Times are hard for Kathleen and her family, who live in a crowded tenement in 1930s Dublin. Her opportunity for advancement comes when an unexpectedly kind nun recommends Irish-dance lessons. Well-contextualized Irish words and phrases are further defined in the appended glossary; historical notes and photos are included.

Reviewer: Lauren Adams | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2004