Scarlett by Cathy Cassidy

Cassidy, Cathy. Scarlett. New York: Viking, 2006.

Scarlett has attended 5 schools in 2 years. It all started when her dad left. Her life was ruined, so Scarlett took revenge the only way she could: she rebelled. She has ketchup red hair, a tongue piercing, and wears lots of eye make-up. Her mad at the world attitude lands her in the one place she never wanted to be--Ireland with her dad and his new family. She doesn't fit in her either. She's so angry. At her mum. At her dad. And at herself.

The concept of homeschooling gives Scarlett another chance. She doesn't have to worry about fitting in. She can just be her scared, lonely, angry self. Scarlett meets a boy, Kian, whose friendship helps her work through her issues.

At the end of the summer, Scarlett has a decision to make. Where should she be? With her mum or with her dad?

What I thought: This book was an absorbing read. Scarlett seemed much older than her 12 years, but that's probably due to a lot of factors (the divorce, her rebellion, she's British). If you want to know what it's like to be from a broken home, read this book. Divorce doesn't simply result in broken homes, it also leaves broken children. When we first meet Scarlett, she is broken. Her anger and rebellion are simply a ploy to keep people from seeing how hurt and insecure she is. When I finished the book, Scarlett was a character I wanted to read more about. Alas, the author hasn't written any more books about her.