Lexiland by Suzi Moore

Secrets uncovered, mysteries unravelled and a friendship to last forever. This is a story about grief, friendship and identity. One year ago, Emma's twin sister, Laura, died at their birthday party and since then Emma's life has not been the same. Without her louder and stronger sister, Emma starts to feel lonely and invisible, missing the one person that she could always rely on to be at her side. Then she meets Lexi and everything changes. Lexi is wild, crazy an surrounded by mystery, and Emma quickly finds herself pulled into the orbit of 'Lexiland', a place where it seems like anything can happen. And, as their friendship grows, Emma starts to realise that letting someone new into your life can be the best way to mend a broken heart...

 You will find this book in the young adult section of bookshops and libraries, however I think it is a book which can be enjoyed by both adults and young adults alike. It is a book which should be full of sadness, a girl, Emma, who has lost her twin sister, Laura and the year following her death where Emma has to come to terms with the death. However, it is not all gloom and doom, there are many points during the book where I felt a smile appearing on my face and ever times of humour, while always be mindful of the feelings of Emma and her family.

I really liked the style of the author's writing. The book is written from the point of view of Emma, with the prose being interrupted by dialogue which I think will appeal to many readers, who like the authors to mix up styles of writing during their work. The topics within the story are quite grown up subjects but I think that the author, Suzi Moore, has addressed them in a way that is suitable for children but still gives them the importance they deserve.

There are many themes within this book; the loss of a twin; the loss of a child (from a parents perspective); the worry of a medical condition; the feeling of a child that there parents are overprotective; the attempts of a child to make friends with a new child at school to name but a few. There are some great characters within the book. Emma is the main character who has a fantastic story, but we are also introduced to Lexi - a new child in school who has secrets, but she also appears quite mad, who finds it difficult to make friends. I also liked Emma's grandfather who is an accomplished traveller and has many stories to tell. He lives in a houseboat which in itself makes him an interesting character.

I think that this is a great read and would recommend it to readers aged 9+. It is a book which will get readers thinking and empathising with Emma and her family.

Thank you to the publishers, Simon and Schuster Children's Books, for sending me the book to review.