| Tracey is in jail,. She puts an advertisement in a magazine seeking a penfriend and Mandy replies. Mandy is a clean cut suburban girl on the verge of adulthood and initally believes that she and Tracey are similar. She uncovers some inconsistancies in the letters though and realises Tracey is in trouble. Tracey confides that she is in a youth detention centre for a crime she does not disclose and Tracey thinks Mandy's life is perfect. She too has been mislead though, but not because Mandy lied, because she, Tracey didn't listen. Mandy has made mention of her brother and her fears of him and Tracey never pursues this matter, wanting instead to read about the perfect life she imagines. The novel is told compeletely through the exchanging of the letters and a lot is left unresolved. It is never discovered why Tracey is in jail, nor is it fully explained what became of Mandy, but when the letters fail to turn up, on is lead to believe that Mandy's brothers threats have been realised and that she and her family are dead. A thought provoking read for young adults and adults alike! | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book? - depressed Time/era of story - 1980's-1999 Kids growing up/acting up? Yes Life of a profession: Crime & Police story Yes Story of Is this an adult or child's book? - Age 11-14 Job/Profession/Status story Yes Main Character Gender - Female Profession/status: Main Adversary Identity: - society How sensitive is this character? Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 3 () Asia/Pacific Yes Asian country: - Australia City? Yes |
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