THE EDGE OF THIRTEEN BY NOVA WEETMAN

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Clem and her best friends, Bridge and Ellie are getting back together again after the summer holidays. They are entering Year 8 and Clem can’t wait to see them and catch up with all their news. But they have changed over the holidays. Bridge is super interested in boys and Ellie seems to already have a boyfriend in the wings. Clem’s friends are making her feel left behind. They have bras and their periods and don’t seem to enjoy all the things they used to do together.

The Year 8 school camp is coming up and Clem hopes that this will give them time to get back to their old friendship harmony. She has also made a couple of new friends, Tom in her photography course and Jacqs, a girl who previously had seemed way too cool to consider even talking to Clem. The relationship and dynamics between the friends is taking a different turn and Clem is trying to find her place. Bridge is hanging out with the boys and always talking about boyfriends. She questions Clem about her friendship with Tom and encourages her to believe he likes her a lot. Ellie is tight with Sammy and although she tries to include Clem in the things they do, Clem feels uncomfortable around them.

Things get worse for Clem when she suffers two personal cringe worthy moments on the camp trip and struggles with emotions rising up within her. She leans towards her growing friendship with Jacqs and mixes less with Bridge and Ellie. Has their long friendship come to an end? Can Clem salvage this important relationship and find her new normal?

Nova Weetman’s novel is a delight to read. Her portrayal of Clem and her friends is perfect and the trials and tribulations of being thirteen are beautifully rendered.

For Ages: 11 - 14 years

Number of Pages: 256

Published: March 2021

Themes: Friendships, puberty and finding your own way.

Rating: 4/5