Bad Influence

LoveReading4Kids Says

Clever, diligent and a musical prodigy, Amelia Bright is used to winning. Afterall, “Brights come first” is her dad’s favourite motto. Sadly, when it comes to popularity Amelia is an outright loser. Nicknamed Maggot at the start of Year 7 and bottom of a cruel “Fit List” in Year 8, Amelia is determined that Year 9 will be better.

When new boy Evan joins her baseball team and gives her a surprising, but exciting, first kiss it seems her hopes of reinvention might just be possible. Surely if he likes her, it means other can too. But as the threat of becoming Maggot Boy looms, Evan betrays Amelia. Suddenly the whole school has seen much more of her than she ever expected, and they’re not just calling her Maggot anymore.

This is an honest story about the brutality of high school, where it can feel like being popular is the only real marker of success. Tension and concern for Amelia is skilfully built as we watch her desperately try to fit in. When a photo that was only ever intended to be private is leaked, we’re provoked to consider the unfair misogyny of boys getting high fives whilst girls get shamed; alongside the long ranging consequences of things living forever on the internet.

Impressively, Tamsin Winter skilfully uses humour throughout so that this story of peer pressure and recovering from mistakes never becomes too heavy. Instead, we’re offered an empowering and hopeful message from a main character who it’s impossible not to root for. A perfect read for younger teens, especially those who love Wonder.

Amy McKay

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