Bug has a lot of secrets and, as a result, sometimes his life becomes very complicated. He’s gone to a new school, where no-one knows anything about him, his family and his history. His passion in life is playing basketball. His parents think that he’s given that up – that’s what they’ve told him to do – but instead he’s formed a new team and they begin to do surprisingly well in the local competition. He’s lied to his parents. He’s lied to his new teammates, who think he’s allowed to play, and he’s lied to himself, although he doesn’t realise it. Bug will do anything to keep all his secrets, just so he can still do the one thing he loves. Of course, as it always happens, secrets have a way of sneaking out into the open no matter how hard you try to keep them hidden. What he hasn’t told his new friends is that he’s risking his life every time he steps onto the court.

Bug has a syndrome called marfan. It means he’s very tall and thin, his joints are rubbery and loose and, among other things, there is a potential for his aorta to explode. White explores the difficulties faced by people living with potentially life-threatening illnesses or syndromes. Whether it’s marfan, or diabetes, or severe asthma, or cancer … everyone with this sort of problem must make daily choices about how they live their life. It’s not easy getting a good, healthy balance between taking care and being ruled by fear. Bug needs to ‘live’ but he also needs to be a little wiser in how he goes about it and having so many secrets isn’t the way to go.

Reviewed by Wendy Noble
Age Guide 10+