Tiff’s family is a little unusual. Bull, her step-brother is old enough to be her father and Reggie, who is ancient, has just diagnosed himself as ‘cactus’. Apart from worrying that Reggie might be right, life is generally good, but there’s a hurt in Tiff’s heart where the dead mother she never knew resides.
This easy to read peek into small town life allows us to settle into conversation with Tiff. It’s easy to share her fears and enjoy her quirky sense of humour and honesty. Although Tiff has finished school and has landed a work experience stint with the nearest newspaper, it’s not all smooth sailing.
What does it take to become a journalist? Will a guy ever notice Tiff as more than a potential buyer of raffle tickets? What about Reggie? Is his illness all in his imagination?
Although marketed as young adult, I believe that readers as young as 11 or 12 would enjoy the ride with Tiff.
Title: A Straight Line to My Heart
Author: Bill Condon
Publisher: Allen and Unwin, $17.99 RRP
Publication Date: August 2011
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781742377308
For ages: 11+
Type: Middle Fiction, Young Adult Fiction