I'm Trying to Tell You

Disappointing. The short story form curbs the self-indulgence that mars Ashley's novels but the first two here flop and the execution of the third ---school-camp described in parallel letters to parents and big sister--- doesn't match its interesting form. The last story is excellent, though, its strength highlighting the others' weaknesses. Prakash befriends the class scruff, risking his family's disapproval, but everything goes wrong and he's left guilty and ashamed. This has a power which transcends age-groups and, if you hid the typical Young Puffin cover, would read aloud in secondary schools as well as with lower juniors. It should be a bench-mark for writers. publishers and teachers alike.