Salvage

This is the story of brother and sister, Aidan and Cass. They have grown up apart after Cass was adopted and Aidan fostered. Their early lives couldn't have been more different - Cass has lived happily with her middle class parents where she has been given the best of everything. Aidan was rejected by foster parents and his mother and grew up in care. Cass's secure world starts to crumble when her MP father's affair with a young intern becomes public knowledge and her parents split up. Just as this is happening, she receives a Facebook message from Aidan who claims to be the brother she hasn't seen for 12 years. This is the story of their meeting and the effect it has on both of them as secrets are revealed and lives changed. The narrative is split between the siblings. This works well and it is fascinating to see events from different points of view. Cass is young, sheltered and nave and ready to see the best in people while Aidan has been toughened by his hard upbringing but is terribly insecure and finds it difficult to trust people. Both characters are dealing with the effects of families breaking down and this is sensitively and effectively done. Various issues are raised and tackled in the book including class, race and the care system but this doesn't detract from the main strength of the book which is the characterisation. Most readers will empathise with both main characters and desperately hope that things will work out well. This is a compelling read which should appeal to teenage readers of both genders. 309 pages / Ages 13+ / Reviewed by Karen Poolton, college librarian

Suggested Reading Age 11+