Mary Weeks Millard

Mary Millard's book is a page-turner of a YA novel that explores issues as diverse as as teenage image, relationships and the power-play associated with the people-trafficking of refugees.

Through the character of Lydia, a 16 year old girl, we are first taken into a world of teenage balls then have this world shaken when Lydia becomes a victim in a hit-and-run car crash. When she and her family head out to the Greek island of Samos for a holiday and for Lydia to recuperate she encounters a Ugandan girl, Nakato, who shares her own story of FGM, teenage marriage and her own journey to safety. For me, this was when the story really began to get interesting.

The characters deal with compelling and real issues, but I would have liked more subtlety in the presentation of the character's emotions. Nonetheless, an engaging read.… (altro)