Daniel and his mum and dad and young sister Martha have just moved across the country so mum can become head teacher at a secondary school. Daniel is missing his mates badly, but the worst thing is that he has to go into year 7 at his mum's school. At first he is just embarrassed, but when she begins to act strange, he becomes seriously worried. Mum has been on lithium for years, ever since a manic depression episode when Martha was born, and when dad has to fly to New Zealand to see his dying mother, mum decides she is so well that she will stop taking the tablets. It is Daniel who sees what is happening but is unsure what to do. Mum gets the help she needs but not before her bizarre behaviour has disrupted school as well as home. The emotions are very real, and Daniel, caught between loving his mum and his own emotinal needs, is portrayed vividly. Well written, and believable.