"Engaging new story from an author who really understands teenage girls."
12-year-old Wanda doesn’t go to school. Instead, she travels round Europe with her mum staying on campsites and at hostels, making friends with other travellers from all over the world and learning to say hello in multiple languages. Young readers might think that sounds like heaven, but Wanda dreams of settling in one place, and a normal life; at school, she might even get her ADHD diagnosed.
When a series of accidents presents her with a chance to travel back to England without her mum, and find the dad she’s never met, Wanda jumps at it. Her discovery of a new family, her struggles to fit in and all she learns in the process make compelling reading.
As the narrative splits between Wanda and her new step-sister Margot, we come to know both girls as kind, well-intentioned young people, often tripped up by their impulsiveness, but finding their way in the end.
Karen McCombie is an expert at bringing us the world as understood by adolescent girls, endlessly fascinating subjects of fiction, and if this story occasionally loses its way, it’s still a book full of genuine emotions and growth and one that brings us living, breathing, convincing central characters.
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: |
From acclaimed children’s novelist Karen McCombie comes a middle grade novel exploring the intersection between family, growing up and neurodiversity. A huge secret is about to catalyse the adventure of a lifetime.
World of Wanda is about the stresses and successes of forming a new version of family. It’s also about giving an insight into ADHD; the difficulties, but also the unexpected gifts it can bring. In Wanda and Margot’s story, for every stumbling block comes a whole bunch of benefits and wonders.
Meet Wanda:
Things about me. . .
• I don’t go to school (even though I’m 12)
• I have ADHD (my mum says I don’t)
• Me and my mum travel around the world (with backpacks)
• I’m homesick (for a home that doesn’t exist)
• I’ve just discovered a HUGE secret (and I need to find out if it’s true)
Maybe it’s time for me to have an adventure of my own...(why don’t you come with me!)
Meet Margo:
Dear Diary,
You’ll never guess what, but something mind-melting has just happened to my family – or should I say a SOMEONE happened!
#MargotInShock #WishMeLuck
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed World of Wanda and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-12 years old
World of Wanda features in the following genres: Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, PSHE: Special educational needs and disability (SEND), PSHE: Family Issues, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
World of Wanda is available in Paperback
World of Wanda was written by Karen Mccombie and published by UClan Publishing
World of Wanda has 236 pages
£7.19
