Eve White: Literary Agent

Jill Murphy at The Bookbag gave Shanta Everington's Give Me a Sign a great review yesterday: 'Oh, I did enjoy this short and sweet book. It's all about growing up and the desperate desire to fit in conflicting with the need to find individuality...

And it's hinged around a first love affair, so intense, so sweet, so heartbreaking.  

Everington taps right into the wavering self esteem of a teenage girl and Liz is an utterly believable character. She exaggerates the meaning of every word or gesture that comes her way. She overanalyses. She's deeply suspicious of her mother. But all she's really trying to do is grow up and find herself. Of course, she has far more to offer than her poor self esteem - and an adoring new boyfriend - will let her believe.

It's sparely written, in short sentences, and taking up just 140 pages but packs an emotional punch far above this weight. It's ideal reading for any teenage girl looking to bolster her self esteem and find some sisterhood, especially, perhaps even, for those who don't spend much time reading.

A short, bittersweet story of growing up, first love and difference. Sparely written with concentration on the emotional landscape, it will appeal to even the least habitual reader.

My thanks to the nice people at Flame for sending the book.

Read the review