Nobody wants to share a secret with a stranger. So when Toby and Rhys are forced to spend their holidays together, they are determined to keep their secrets to themselves. They may be from the same school, but they don’t know each other at all, and that’s how they’d like it to stay.
Toby has a secret he doesn’t want anyone at school to know. If the other boys knew what he does in his spare time, they might make life difficult for him. Rhys also has a secret, but his is far darker than Toby could imagine. In a week at the beach, both learn a lot about each other.
Who Cares is a tale of friendship, family and secrets. The beach setting will appeal to teen readers, especially those with an interest in surfing, with much of the action taking place on the beach as Rhys shares his passion for surfing with Toby.
Who Cares deals with some serious issues, including alchoholism and its effect on family, but it is not preachy or unrealistic. The teen characters have problems – some of which are solved simply by sharing them, and others which require both adult help and time. Author Krista Bell shows that even the biggest problems can be addressed with the right blend of help and understanding.
Who Cares was the 2004 winner of the Australian Family Therapists’ Award for Children’s Literature, for its postitive portrayal of family relationships.
A great read for ages 12 and up.
Who Cares? by Krista Bell
Lothian 2003