The Slightly True Story of Cedar B. Hartley: (who planned to live an unusual life)

Cedar hangs out on the edges of the neighbourhood social circuit with Stinky, her dog and best friend. Things start to change when she meets a boy called Kite and finds they have a lot in common - both have single parents, both are loners with colourful inner lives, both like beanies, dogs and acrobatics. Together they form a circus troupe and put on a dazzling performance that helps to unite their inner-city community. Along the way, Cedar gains some understanding of her missing brother, her hard-working mother, her less-than-perfect father - and herself.

More reviews:

'vibrates with authenticity', School Library Journal, USA

'Cedar's witty, wry voice will seduce even the most cynical', Bulletin with Newsweek