Kate has major problems at school. Because she can neither read nor write properly, she is considered thick, and her uncontrollable temper makes school a nightmare. When her parents decide to move from London to a dilapidated farm house in East Anglia, she is horrified. Mike and Emily, her brother and sister, are rather pleased, but it is soon apparent that Kare's dyslexia is not the only problem the family faces. The parents constant fighting results in mum's disappearing off to London to her job, first just during the week and then threatening to stay permanently. Dad's do-it-yourself efforts in the house are at first a disaster, but as things gradually get better, Kate makes friends with Louise at school and her grandfather, Walter. Crusty Walter loves his garden, but is no longer able to tend it, and when Kate and Louise start helping, Kate discovers a talent - her own green fingers. She re-discovers the garden around their house, initially because she knows her mum will be pleased, but then because she loves it. She also discovers she can teach herself to read - because she wants to. Her block seems to have been an emotional one due to her hatred of school. When dad decides to teach her at home, she gets along much better. There is a realistic ending with Walter dying in the garden he loves and some hope that mum and dad will work things out. This is an emotionally satisfying novel, with excellent character deliniation. Schools and teachers don't come out of it particularly well, but we see Kate's problems very much from her point of view. Enchanting woodcuts decorate each chapter.