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Synopsis

Indigo's Stars by Hilary Mckay

Indigo's going back to school after a long bout of glandular fever. He's not looking forward to it, as he knows the bullies will be waiting for him. But he's determined to stand on his own two feet - so when Saffy and Sarah break up a fight in the boys' bathroom, he's furious.

Until he meets Tom. Tom is over from the States for a term, staying with his gran while his family sort out their own problems back home. He loves music and joking and is unfazed by the bullies, slowly beginning to win the class round.

He helps Indigo to challenge his fears, and in doing so is absorbed into the crazy Casson family and finds some answers of his own. Rose adores him and is determined to help him get the guitar he's been eyeing in the local music shop - but her attempts to help end in disaster, leaving only one way out: Daddy needs to come back from London to the home (and wife) he's been neglecting. Rose couldn't have an ulterior motive, could she?

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Reviews

INDIGO'S STAR: 'Another winning title from the inimitable Hilary McKay.
Publishing News 20030601 Hilary McKay
's strength lies in her understanding of young people and her ability to evoke them very simply.'
The Guardian 20030601
'as funny and compelling as her Whitbread-winning SAFFY'S ANGEL ... The unpatronising, open, thought-provoking ending leaves us eager for more. Definitely a book to curl up with and enjoy in one single sitting.'
Lesley Agnew, The Bookseller 20030601
'Another engaging read, with McKay's trademark warmth, wit and lightness of touch.'
The Children
's Bookseller 20030601 'amusing and sharply-observed ... simple but elegant'
Jill Murphy, The Bookbag 20030601
'Hilary McKay's wittily observed portrayals of family life are full of warmth, vitality and irrepressible good humour.'
Kate Agnew, The Guardian 20030601
'just the sort of crazy family you ache to be a part of.'
The Good Book Guide 20030601
'it's wonderful to have more stories about the engaging and uncommon Casson family!'
Parents Express 20030601
'... we are so fond of this fresh, funny, foolish, wise, real family.'
The Horn Book Magazine 20030601
'... as wild and endearing as ever ... Another charmer for Casson fans.'
Booklist 20030601
'... touching and hiarious. Beautifully crafted descriptive language makes this offering a real gem.'
School Library Journal 20030601
'McKay has a genius for domestic comedy.'
The Sunday Times 20030601
'the usual mix of sharp observation and hilarity'
Writeaway 20030601

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About The Author

Hilary McKay won the Guardian Children's Award with her first novel, The Exiles. Her subsequent work has achieved similar recognition - The Exiles at Home won the Smarties Prize and Saffy's Angel won the Whitbread. A graduate of Botany and Zoology from St Andrews University, Hilary now writes full-time. She lives in Derbyshire with her husband and two children.

You can read her character Rose Casson's blog by clicking here - and Rose's tweets on the right hand side of this page.

Q & A with Hilary Mckay

What is your earliest childhood memory?
Watching steam trains with my grandfather. He died before I was two years
old, so that is a very early memory.

If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?
Well, who could turn down the gift of flight? Or travel without luggage? Or a
life spent following the sun? Without doubt, I would be a swallow. I realise this
means a lifetime of eating flies, but I think it would be worth it.

What is your dream holiday destination?
I would start at the Sangre de Cristo mountains in New Mexico and travel South
through Central America, along the coast to Peru, then down through Chile
across to the Falklands and on to Antarctica, which I would circumnavigate.
Then I would travel North to New Zealand where I would spend a long time
warming up and then across to Australia. I would spend quite a long time in
Sydney and go up into the Blue Mountains (I might go sapphire hunting there)
and then to the Great Barrier Reef (of course).
That would be far enough for me.

What is your morning routine?
Alas, I do not have a morning routine.

If you could have one special talent, what would it be?
Singing, undoubtedly. That would make me the happiest. But I have a friend
whose talent is languages and I envy that one very much.

Likes: Millions of things! Books, cats, honey, letters from readers (hint, hint), real music, apples, swimming in cold water, chocolate coated ginger biscuits, trees.

Dislikes: Putting things away, litter, loud TV, hot rooms, being told what to think.

3 words that best descibe me: Untidy, happy, hopeful!

A Secret that not many people know: I am a VERY slow reader!

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