You look as if you've seen a ghost! (Vicky Angel - Jacqueline Wilson)

Member Name: helican

Product:	Vicky Angel - Jacqueline Wilson
Date:	23/05/09 (25 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: warm & perceptive

Disadvantages: a bit of a gruelling read

Vicky Angel is about Jade, who is in Year 9 & ever since nursery has lived contentedly in the shadow of her larger-than-life, rather dominating best friend Vicky.
Then in Chapter One the unthinkable happens: Vicky is hit by a car & killed, & Jade is left shattered & bereaved to rebuild her life. Yet even after death Vicky wants to be in control & in the limelight.
This is markedly different in tone to Jacqueline Wilson's other books: harrowing at times & sombre, but also enormously wise & comforting. After the car crash & its immediate aftermath there's very little action or deviation: all focus is on Jade & her struggle to cope without Vicky. Luckily she has that Wilson staple: the boy in the class who doesn't fit in but turns out to be a true friend, & the bereavement counsellor who sees Vicky for what she is.

Summary: a wise, touching & empowering story. Highly recommended for older readers.