In Mia Campbell-Richardson, Lisa Williamson has created one of the stroppiest, most self-absorbed heroines ever to grace the pages of a novel. The middle of three daughters, Mia has convinced herself that she is unloved and overlooked by her parents in favour of her awe-inspiringly successful sisters. Indeed, when Grace, Cambridge-bound big sister returns home from her gap year pregnant – to the shock of all – Mia responds by laughing; it’s hardly surprising the atmosphere at home is tense. No matter how badly she behaves however, readers will remain on Mia’s side, such is the skill and sensitivity of Williamson’s portrait of a girl who for all her outward confidence is as nervous and insecure on the inside as the rest of us. As the story unfolds Mia has to acknowledge her anxieties, and that helps her renew relationships with her family. Sharply observed, painfully honest in its depictions of young teens, this is another impressive novel from one of the most exciting young authors around.
Recommended for readers who enjoy the trials and tribulations of Mia are Trouble by Non Pratt and The Baby by Lisa Drakeford.
Mia Campbell-Richardson, 16, is ballsy, gorgeous and kind of a disaster. Unlike her brilliant sisters, academic Grace (19) and champion swimmer Audrey (13), middle child Mia has no idea what she wants to do with her life and is convinced of her status as the black sheep of the family. Struggling at school and unable to deal with her parents easy acceptance of perfect sister Grace's fall from grace - Mia goes into a tailspin, misguidedly seducing a man in his 40s and putting herself at risk on several occasions by drinking herself into oblivion. It is only the disappearance of her quiet and loving baby sister that is eventually able to bring Mia and Grace back together, and help Mia see at last that she doesn't need it to be All About Mia to be happy.