Laurel's mum always called her Lollipop or Lol or Lolly, and when her mum dies, Lol retreats into what she calls her ice house and becomes 'Ice Lolly'. Mum has suffered from a wasting disease, and Lol has been her main carer. She, therefore, has few friends, and when her Uncle Mark and Auntie Ellen and their two children, Holly and Michael, take her and her cat, Mr Pooter, home to live with them, they find her difficult and unresponsive. She and her aunt and her cousin Holly don't get on at all, particularly because Auntie Ellen doesn't like cats, and Mr Pooter gets on her nerves. Everyone is trying too hard, Uncle Mark and Michael successfully, but the others not at all. The real strength of this novel lies in the feelings expressed by Lol, the memories of her mother and her determination not to let those feelings show. At times one feels almost sorry for the really unpleasant Aunt Ellen and the little sniper who is Holly! Told in the first person by Lol, the story starts with her at her mum's funeral with her relatives, and ends in a highly unlikely reunion with her mum's best friend from college who is going to adopt Lolly. It's a real page-turner this, and for a child recently bereaved could well provide great help. The emotions are intense and real, and Lol's dependence on her cat as the last link with her mum rings very true. Some interesting characters pop up through the story, and if one can forgive the somewhat contrived ending, it's an excellent read. Girls will love it!