Despite everything that has happened, Serenity and her brother, Danny, still wait for their father to come back for them. Now that their mother is dead, they’ve moved in with their grandparents. They’ve got a lot of new things to get used to, including living in a home with kindness and being absorbed into their grandparents’ church community. The children have even changed schools and, for the first time, Serenity has a best friend. Perhaps she is now safe enough to share some of the secrets that have been weighing her down? But her new friend, Maria, also has a dark secret. Sometimes it’s more dangerous to keep a secret than to share it.

This is a poignant, absorbing and challenging exploration of grief, domestic abuse and peer group pressure. We’re glad that the children have found a safe haven with their mother’s parents, but we know that it wouldn’t take much for them to be drawn into a life that would eventually lead to their ruin. Although it is obvious that both their parents have damaged the children in many ways, one of the good things Serenity’s mother gave her was a strong character and the ability to hold onto hope.

Reviewed by Wendy Noble
Age Guide 12+