Candyfloss

Floss Barnes lives between two worlds - her mother's comfortable new life with a stepfather and half-brother, and her father Charlie's struggling café. When her mother announces a six-month move to Australia, Floss makes the decision to stay behind with her dad. The story follows Floss as she adjusts to full-time life with her father, navigating school, friendships, and the challenges of their modest lifestyle. She forms a connection with Rose, a woman who works at a traveling fair, while helping her father keep his café business running. Floss faces difficulties with her former best friend Rhiannon and must deal with judgmental adults who question her father's parenting abilities. She works to find her place between her split family while maintaining relationships with both parents. The novel explores themes of loyalty, family bonds, and the complex dynamics of divorced families, showing how children can find strength and resilience when faced with difficult choices.

Most readers describe this book as a relatable story about friendship, family changes, and growing up. Parents note it handles divorce and separation in a way that resonates with children aged 9-12. Readers appreciated: - Realistic portrayal of complex family dynamics - Main character's authentic voice and struggles - Discussion of loyalty in friendships - Inclusion of fairground life details Common criticisms: - Some found the plot predictable - A few parents concerned about mild references to dating/boys - Several mentioned it moves slowly in the middle sections Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings) One reader on Goodreads wrote: "Perfect for helping children understand it's okay to choose between parents." Another noted: "The fairground setting makes this stand out from other books about family breakups." Some teachers reported using it successfully in class discussions about friendship and family changes.

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🍬 The term "candyfloss" (cotton candy in the US) symbolizes the sweet but temporary nature of certain life situations, reflecting a key theme in the novel 📚 Jacqueline Wilson has written over 100 books and served as Children's Laureate from 2005-2007, making her one of Britain's most prolific children's authors 👪 The book was among the first middle-grade novels to realistically portray the impact of "living between homes" - a situation affecting approximately 1 in 3 children in many Western countries 🇬🇧 The café setting reflects a significant part of British culture, with family-owned cafés being traditional community hubs that often struggle against chain establishments 🎯 The novel was specifically written to address a gap in children's literature about children choosing to live with their fathers after divorce, a less commonly depicted scenario