Looking After Mum

Dani is looking forward to Matt’s birthday meal with their friends at the local pizza place. But Matt doesn’t show up. Then, when Matt doesn’t reply to her texts, Dani is upset. She can’t believe Matt is the kind of guy who’d behave like that. But Matt has problems of his own at home. Problems that he can’t bear to share with anyone, least of all his friends. Will Dani discover the truth?

The Two Sides series has an innovative structure, where each book contains two parallel narratives, featuring differing perspectives on the same situation, and illustrating the dangers of someone making a judgement about a situation they know very little about. These thought-provoking stories follow a linear timeline and read almost as diary entries. The voice alternates each chapter, enabling the reader to keep up with events whilst gaining a multi-dimensional insight at the same time. Penned by experienced authors, these captivating narratives cover serious themes faced by many young people in today’s world - family breakdown, identity, domestic abuse, racism and being a young carer. With around 4,000 words and a reading age of 8-9, these books will appeal to struggling readers aged 13+. They would also make perfect quick reads for more able readers.