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Revision as of 12:46, 23 March 2018
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{{infoboxinfobox1
|title=The Twice-Lived Summer of Bluebell Jones
|sort=Twice-Lived Summer of Bluebell Jones
|author=Susie Day
|reviewer=Robert James
|borrow=Yes
|isbn=978-1407120843
|pages=240
|publisher=Marion Lloyd Books
|date=August 2012
|website=http://www.susieday.com/
|summary=Incredibly easy to read and incredibly difficult to review! I don't want to say too much for fear of spoiling an excellent book - but this is a high recommendation to fans of contemporary teen novels.
|cover=1407120840
|aznuk=1407120840
|aznus=1407120840
}}
Bluebell Jones is worried about turning thirteen. How is she meant to become a cool, glamorous teenager without some help? When a wish summons Red, her confident, vibrant fourteen-year-old future self to join her on holiday, she thinks that she’s found the answer to her prayers. But Red has secrets of her own – and there’s some things that Blue needs to find out for herself.
I should start off by saying this was a very good book and that fans of contemporary teen novels with really strong characterisation and fabulous writing might want to just buy it now and stop reading the review. The reason I’m starting with that is because it’s going to be almost impossible doing a full review without spoiling it somewhat – so please be warned if you choose to read on!
I was eagerly anticipating this one after loving Day’s most recent book, [[Pea's Book of Best Friends by Susie Day|Pea's Book of Best Friends]] and I certainly wasn’t disappointed. Her writing style is incredibly readable and made it really hard to put this one down, and while Blue is a wonderful main character, her older sister Tiger completely stole my heart. It’s really refreshing to see a lesbian character whose family and friends are comfortable with her sexuality and I thought the romance she was involved in was really sweet. I also thought that Blue’s parents, both musicians who were in their own band, were great characters. As well, the setting of Penkerry, with its funfair and beach, was beautifully portrayed.
Now for the spoilery part – the ending is an absolute heartbreaker which came out of nowhere. I was left stunned, and close to tears, when it finished. It’s incredibly powerful but I can see it dividing readers – I personally thought it worked really well, though.
I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of time-travel books generally - but another one I really loved was [[A Year Without Autumn by Liz Kessler]]. Like this, it features a fabulous main character and Kessler has a brilliant writing style.
{{amazontext|amazon=1407120840}} {{waterstonestextamazonUStext|waterstonesamazon=89946731407120840}}
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[[Category:LGBT Fiction]]
