I cried at the end, which is a funny thing to be doing after what is a light and humorous read. But then that’s the strength of Hilary McKay’s writing.
Indigo’s Star is about the Casson boy, and dithery old witch that I am, I kept forgetting he’s a boy. They are such a girly family and Indigo seems a pretty feminine name to me. (Maybe Hilary has had her own experience of this ‘suits both girls and boys’ name business.) Indigo’s a boy. Indigo’s a boy.
He has been unwell for a long period, but the time has come to go back to school. Never a fun thing to do, and it’s especially bad when you’ve been bullied. Rose knows, but the others have no idea. But when they do find out, well…
There is a new friend for him, although the friendship with Tom doesn’t start out in the traditional way, exactly. Rose likes Tom, too. And what’s more, Tom likes all of them. The Cassons. He needs people to like.
Caddy keeps bringing discarded boyfriends home for her Mum Eve to try out. I very much liked one of them, who fitted right in with this slightly mad, but so very caring and loving family.
I do wonder about their financial situation. Are they poor? Daddy Casson seems wealthy enough. Eve buys strawberries and cherries, but no real food. And cheap paint tubes.
Would very much like to be adopted by the Cassons. I expect they’d drive me bananas within days, but it might be worth it.
I have a slight problem though. There is a prequel out soon. I have tried asking Hilary herself about the best order in which to read, but she’s unsure and if the author’s not sure, how can anyone know? Feel like gobbling them all up right away, but perhaps it would be like too much pudding all in one go?
I’ll ponder this for a while. And I’m forever in debt to Sally Nicholls for putting me on the right path.
Indigo’s a boy.
Indigo’s a boy.
I knew you’d like it! Love these books – recently reread Indigo’s Star and it’s just as good second time around. Can’t wait for the new one coming out in May.
Thank you very much for making time to read the book!
Yes, he’s a boy.
(I’m not though, and neither is my sister Robin.)
And Chris and Andy and Sam and Leslie… So many nice names. Such confusion possible.
I always cry when I read the books in this brilliant series – tears of laughter. If I was sent away to a desert island I’d want all of them as my book choice. Have you read Saffy’s Angel yet? You HAVE to read Saffy’s Angel. Caddy’s driving lessons had me rolling around on the floor in tears.
When’s the prequel out? Will see if I can order it right now.
7th May, Julie. Order away.
Yes, I have read Saffy. I’m so OCD I need to do things in order, which is why this prequel has thrown my world apart… As I said, it’s all down to the forceful suggestions of Sally Nicholls.