Saturday 14 May 2011

Star Makers Club: Polly Plays Her Part by Anne-Marie Conway (Children's, 8 years +, 10/10)


October 2010, Usborne, 
240 pages, Paperback
Review copy

Children's, 8+ 

Drama group, school life, misunderstanding between friends, effects of divorce, impact of a new baby, dangers of cyberspace, a lot of humour, tissues needed, 

Meet Polly. Loads of character and loads of drama! Why is her mum going to work in sunny Spain? When will her new step-mum stop trying to be so nice all the time? Has her wailing baby brother got the biggest pair of lungs in history? And, most importantly, can she learn her lines in time for the drama club’s fab new production?

Reasons for loving Polly - although everything gets muddled in her head, she means well, even if she can't see how many people care for her. 

Is there another character who deserves a special mention? Polly's cat Cosmo, who like most cats adores food and familiarity. 

How evil is the enemy? The real enemy is rather sinister and doesn't have much coverage. Polly mistakes her own family as her enemy, and to her they are the worst people in the world, cruel and unfair. 

Are there plenty of plot twists and surprises? Yes, ones which mostly made me smile, although I cried at one of them. 

One of my favourite parts was...Cosmo having butter put on his paws. He wasn't impressed! 

You can read an extract and find out more on the Usborne site. Check out Anne-Marie's website which has more information about the Star Makers Club. 

Suggested reads 
Fame School #14: Trick or Treat by Cindy Jeffries - for more fun involving drama students


Half A Sister by Kelly McKain - another tale full of high drama within a household 


No comments: