Scarlett is a 12-year-old Londoner. She's pierced her tongue without permission. She's dyed her hair to match her name. She wears platform sandals even if they aren't practical. And she's been kicked out of 5 schools in 2 years. Her grandma doesn't want her. Her uncle doesn't want her. Her mother has decided that she can't handle her, obviously. So Scarlett is being sent to Ireland to live with her father, his new wife and a younger step-sister.
Scarlett's father left her mother 2 years ago. And that of course is when the trouble started. Until that time, Scarlett had been a picture perfect little girl with curls. She excelled in everything and was an over-achiever. When her father left, well, what was the point? If you can't attract positive attention, negative attention will have to suffice.
The tree on the cover is the wishing tree next to the lough (lake) where Scarlett finds solace. People tie a ribbon or scrap of cloth to the tree and make a wish. First she runs there to escape her new school. Then she runs there to escape her family. Finally, she goes there to study, create, daydream. And it is there that she first encounters Kian, a strange, wild boy who pretty much sweeps her off her feet. Yes, there is definitely romance to be had. Romance surrounded by mystery. No one knows who (what?) Kian is. He's definitely not from around these parts. But Scarlett can't stay away. She spends as much time as she can with him.
As a child of divorce myself, I really identified with Scarlett. I think Cassidy has it right on. She's mad at her mom and her dad for taking away the life that she loved. Her mother is too busy working on a career to give her the attention she needs. And mother is still reeling from the divorce herself. Scarlett sees her dad as taking her ideal life away and giving it to another newer, better, less rebellious daughter. Scarlett no longer fits in. So she makes herself even less palatable to everyone.
What I appreciate most is the tender loving kindness of the step-mother. She encourages Scarlett to be a part of the family without forcing it upon her. She advocates for her until Scarlett can forgive her father and start trying to fit in again. Perhaps that best choice was homeschooling her, allowing Scarlett to be an individual and get the space and time and solitude she needs to actually acknowledge her situation and not just react to it. Her father as her teacher enables them to get to know each other again and build a new relationship without the anger.
Relish what is light-hearted.
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