Lily knew that it wasn’t the absence of a father, or even the smallness of their family (only the three of them – five if you counted Nan and Pop), which marked them out. No, thought Lily irritably, it was the sheer peculiarity of the people in it that made her family not quite right.
Lily is the sensible one in her family. She cleans the house and cooks the emails, and always makes sensible decisions. But then she starts to notice Daniel Steadman and suddenly she wonders if she’s as sensible as she thought.
In the meantime, Lily’s nan decides it’s time for a party. Lily finds herself determined to make this party a perfect day for her less than perfect family. But it’s going to take some effort.
One Whole and Perfect Day is a warm story of family relationships, falling in love and the concept of perfection. Lily is a likeable protagonist with a wryly humorous take on life and a family who are as endearing as they are odd.
Aimed at teens, there’s a lot to be enjoyed by adult readers as well.
One Whole and Perfect Day, by Judith Clarke
Allen & Unwin, 2006