"A sensitive and empathetic account of emotionally based school avoidance."
Interest Age 11+ Reading Age 7
This is a gentle and authentically honest portrayal of a young girl suffering from severe anxiety and school refusal, which is sadly a growing problem in the UK. We get a real insight into Ellie’s (aka Jellybean) feelings as she struggles to enunciate, to her sympathetic but confused parents, what it is that is stopping her from returning to school. She desperately wants to go and fears losing touch with her friends, but the ever-present inexplicable fear she feels every day is making it impossible for her.
The book opens with Ellie walking towards school for the first time, after being unable to go for so long. We then flashback to when Ellie first felt this way and follow the story back up to the present day. It shows the steps that Ellie takes and the resources and therapy that help her.
A situation like this won't necessarily have a quick or easy resolution, and in fact many young people may have to wait much longer than Ellie to receive help, but at least this shows that help is possible. The ending is deliberately open, but the reader, having experienced Ellie’s journey, will see the positive outcomes available to her.
Being a Barrington Stoke novel also means that the text is highly accessible to anyone and the illustrations, by Carnegie shortlisted illustrator Theo Parish, will also add to the appeal and ensure that the book will be picked up and its valuable message will find its target.
This is an essential read for teachers and parents, who will also find the further information pages at the end of the book very useful. There is also an information and advice page aimed directly at young people who might be experiencing these sorts of feelings. Ellie’s story will undoubtedly resonate with and reassure many young readers.
