A full page of Sharratt’s comic-strip–style panels opens each chapter, and “Floss’s Glossary” defines unfamiliar Briticisms. There’s a real tenderness to her relationship with her father, fully dimensional in all his flaws, a man whose love for his daughter often clouds his judgment. All that action makes the narrative longer than usual for this age group, but Floss’s emotional turmoil should hook girls. This tension paces a novel that contains many compelling, sometimes gritty, elements-shopping, gambling, fair-going, romance, a knife-fight and even a scary fire.

Meanwhile, her father is losing his shop to bankruptcy and the possibility of homelessness becomes real. Her mismatched clothing, which carries the greasy spoon’s scent, makes her the new target of Rhiannon’s torments. When Floss chooses to stay with her dad-because she realizes he needs her more than her mother does-her standing at school suffers. Her best friend, the “posh and persnickety” Rhiannon, has become materialistic and judgmental Floss can’t stand the cruel teasing Rhiannon directs at a new classmate. When her stepfather accepts a temporary transfer to Australia, “Floss,” as she is called, must choose to spend six months in sunny Sydney or to stay with her father above his failing chip shop. When Flosss mother and stepfather announce they are moving to Australia for six months, Floss has to decide whether to go with them or stay home with Dadinept, but loving and always lots of fun. Flora Barnes splits her week between her mother, who has remarried a successful executive, and her father whose situation is less rosy. CHOOSING BETWEEN PARENTS AND FRIENDS Candyfloss is the perfect introduction to Jacqueline Wilson. On weekends, and for the main part of the book, she lives with her dad, Charlie, above his Cafe, Harlies Cafe (the C fell off). She lives (on weekdays) with her mum, her stepdad Steve, and her toddler half-brother Tim (mainly known as Tiger). The latest from Britain’s former Children’s Laureate is vintage Wilson. Candyfloss Flora, known as Floss is 11 years old, and is the main character in Candyfloss.

Candyfloss by jacqueline wilson