'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Saturday, 4 September 2021

Review: Skin Deep

Scarlett lives in her privileged world, not realizing how fragile the bubble that we all live in is.

The story starts some time after Scarlett has survived a horrific accident. She is a survivor, but does not see it that way.

Her survival came at a cost, Scarlett not only has to manage her ongoing pain and post traumatic stress disorder, but the change in her status as a person who now has a very obvious and severe disfigurement.

Scarlett has always been the pretty one, and took the benefits of her prettiness for granted.

Now, she is struggling to reinvent herself and to understand her new identity in a world of social media "likes".
But after she overhears her friends discussing her, Scarlett reaches her breaking point and begs her dad for a getaway - a cottage in the mountains too remote for internet access. 
A break from pitying (or disgusted) eyes is what she needs.

The break triggers a series of events in which Scarlett has to dig deep into her reserves of resilience and strength in order to overcome some challenges that she truly did not foresee, and eventually see her own merits beyond those which are just skin deep. 

This is CBCA shortlisted author Hayley Lawrence's third book. Her previous book was reviewed on Kids' Book review  here.

Title: Skin Deep
Author: Hayley Lawrence
Publisher: Scholastic, $
Publication Date: 1 July 2021
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781760976446
For ages: 12+
Type: Young Adult