Thursday 18 August 2011

Beads, Boys and Bangles by Sophia Bennett (Children's, 11 years +, 10E/10E)


May 2010, Chicken House
316 pages, Paperback
Review copy 

Children's, 9 years + 

Themes Fashion, the realities of being a successful teen designer/manager/actress, friendships at risk, shocking truths, child labour, inspiration, gorgeous dresses, lots of humour 

Summary from Chicken House
Crow is in designer heaven; Nonie's caught the eye of a gorgeous boy; Jenny has a new play. But poor Edie's in trouble - the rumours are that slave children in India have been making their high-street collection. It's up to the girls to save their fashion dream. 

Nayuleska's reasons for loving Nonie...her life is a whirlwind but she finds time to make sure her friends are safe, and when friendship demands taking a difficult business decision she stands by the friendship. 

Is there another character who deserves a mention? Edie, for working on her charitable contribution, and Jenny for finding herself after the disaster of the first book, and Harry who is a very decent brother. 

How nasty/evil is the enemy? Prima donna actresses are annoying little madams, people holding pursestrings can act like blackmailers. 

Are there lots of plots twists and surprises? There's as much emotion, if not more than the first book. I was amazed how everything that looked gloomy ended up sparkling like one of Crow's bejewelled creations. 

One of my favourite parts was...that meeting where the girls voted with the hearts.

ETA: I totally forgot to give this a rating! Gets 10/10 from me. 

You can find out more about Sophia and her books on her website.

Suggested read
Make sure you read book one where the adventures began Threads

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