Dear Scarlett by Fleur Hitchcock

 A funny, moving and absorbing story about a young girl's attempts to learn more about her dead father through the objects she finds in a cardboard box he's left her. Scarlett and her friend, Ellie, go on a sometimes hilarious, sometimes scary, journey of discovery, following the clues and always remembering to 'keep looking up'. Was Scarlett's dad a thief? Was he a spy? And what does it mean to be his daughter? Fleur Hitchcock is a great new voice in children's literature, and Dear Scarlett is a great book.

I found this book refreshing and very different to many of the books that are on book shelves currently for this age range. It has Scarlett, an eleven year old girl who, on her birthday is gifted a box by her late father's solicitor to be given on this day. What Scarlett finds inside leads her on an adventure in which she is reminded 'to keep looking up' but what did he mean? Will Scarlet find hidden treasure or will the hunt end in disappointment?

Fleur Hitchcock has written a fantastic debut novel, which has times of reminiscing about Scarlett's time with her father, her life now and this is interwoven with many times of humor - the penguin incident was fantastic and it was one of those scenes that kept creeping back into your mind at the most inopportune  moments! 

I think this book would suit both boys and girls and especially those who like mysteries and adventures. It would be great for confident readers age 9+ but could be enjoyed by younger chidlren sharing a chapter at story or bedtime with their peers.

I really enjoyed Fleur Hitchcock's book and I look forward to seeing what her next release will be - I hope it is as good as this fantastic debut novel.

I received this book from the publisher, Nosy Crow, in return for an honest review.