Children's book review

What a treat to read the latest story by award-winning north Oxfordshire children’s author Linda Newbery. It is set mainly in a charming, chaotic charity shop, the Second-Hand Rose, run by Nina’s whimsical great-aunts, in the firm belief that “one person’s cast-offs was another person’s treasure”.

To welcome all and sundry they install, in the front window, the White Lady, an old and haughty mannequin whose outfits are eye-catching, if a tad eccentric.

On Nina’s first day at secondary school her mother goes AWOL, leaving a brief note: “Gone away for a while. Please don’t worry. Love you both very much. Miranda xxxxxxxxx.” Why, how and where has she gone? Dad leaves Nina in the safe but eccentric hands of her aunts to find answers. Then some of her mum’s precious possessions — her elephant bag, hand-made rosette brooches, her old dress and a china sea-horse — turn up at the shop.

Nina searches for her missing parent with the help of Jake, the shy volunteer at the shop, recently released from “a special hospital for people who’d had breakdowns” and Max, her dearest friend — and, of course, the aunts. We visit a llama farm and enjoy a fashion show at Nina’s school featuring re-styled old clothes from the Second-Hand Rose. The charm of the book lies in the clear style, fascinating detail, a compelling plot and well-drawn characters. In the hunt for the missing mum, Newbery brings in, with her usual light touch, some pressing concerns: bullying, friendship, mental health and the nature of parenthood. In the modern world of texts and mobile phones she gives us the perennial hopes and fears of a young girl growing up and facing problems with courage and sensitivity.