The Good Turn

Description

Three friends form their own scout group, embark on an extraordinary adventure and learn that anyone can make a difference in this real-world story with big themes for fans of Murder Most Unladylike and The Boy at the Back of the Class. Josephine Williams is definitely a leader - and her teachers know it! What other eleven-year-old is desperate for MORE schoolwork? Looking for more challenging tasks, Josie enlists her friends Wesley and Margot into her very own Scout troop, the Copseys, named after the street they all live on. Together they start their quest for their camping badge by sleeping out near to the abandoned factory behind their houses. But that night they stumble across something strange. Someone seems to be living in the derelict building! The Copseys have to solve the mystery...and perhaps earn their bravery and activism badges along the way... Perfect for readers who love Robin Stevens and Katherine Woodfine, and full of fast-paced adventure, brilliant characters and snappy dialogue with themes of real-life activism and how to help others.

Sharna Jackson is an award-winning author and curator who specialises in developing socially-engaged initiatives for children across culture, publishing and entertainment. She was recently the Artistic Director at Site Gallery in Sheffield, and was formerly the editor of the Tate Kids website. Sharna's debut novel High-Rise Mystery received numerous awards and accolades including the Waterstones Book Prize for the Best Book for Younger Readers. Sharna lives on a ship in Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

For 9+ readers, this gripping, thoughtful update to the Blytonesque 'secret society' genre engages squarely with racism and social injustice. * Guardian * I utterly loved The Good Turn; it's bone-deep brilliant; a joy to the very end. It's so warm and so funny, and so ferociously on the side of justice and of hope. I wanted to know the kids; I loved them like they were real - and I wanted every child I know to have the chance to be in the Copseys. It has a clarity to it that means that to read it feels like being nourished. I adored it. * Katherine Rundell * I love it! Josie, Margot and Wesley are so real to me after reading it. Sharna really knows how to properly tell stories with and for young people. I want to be in the Copseys! * Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark * An intriguing mystery adventure with bold and brilliant characters, and heartfelt themes of family, friendship and good intentions.' * Sophie Anderson, author of The House With Chicken Legs * Fully-rounded characters that young readers will recognise and engage with. The dialogue is number 1 haircut grade sharp - it powers the story along and is full of witty, entertaining banter. Perfect for the middle-grade reader. A joy to read. * Alex Wheatle, author of Crongton Knights * Praise for Sharna Jackson: Jackson's voice is distinct and original, while her deft characterisation and evocation of place make for a funny, engaging modern mystery. * Guardian * Praise for Sharna Jackson: This story reads with a rare freshness and energy. The voices and the setting are convincing and vivid... an intriguing mystery * The Times * A funny, warm and thought-provoking celebration of community of all kinds * Anna James *