Emma is having a difficult summer. Her well-loved dad, who is usually jolly and great fun, has become morose and quiet. Furthermore one of her best friends, Becca, is showing signs of becoming a bully to younger children, and she and the rest of their friendship group (Charlie and Ruth) are worried about her. Becca has stopped being part of the group recently and has become actively hostile to the girls. There are hints as to what is wrong with Emma's dad, but it is still a shock for her when he loses his job and ends up in hospital with an undisclosed mental illness - probably depression. While all comes right in the end, and dad is home by the finish of the novel, he has decided to change jobs away from the stresses of the bank. Scattered throughout the book are hints as to what Emma feels about her dad's illness and her hope that he will become the old dad again.
There is lots of good description of the girls' families and all their activities, which makes the story come alive, and we really feel we know them and what they are like. There are amazing birthday parties and a village carnival to enjoy, and the food they eat is described in loving detail (a la Enid Blyton). When we learn that Becca's problems are due to the fact that she is being sent off to boarding school because of her parents' move to Singapore, we are relieved for her and for her friends. A summer storm clears the air and all will be well again.
This is a story that girls will enjoy particularly, and the problems encountered - the bullying and Emma's father's illness - are handled at a level that is good for younger readers. A good, involving read.