Ellie and the Marriage List: 1 (One Extra Sparkle)

By Author / Illustrator

Tricia Seabolt, Lucy Rogers

Genre

Representation & Inclusion

Age range(s)

Publisher

Lantana Publishing

ISBN

9781915244796

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-06-2024

Synopsis

Ellie is ready to have the best summer ever. She's especially excited to draw under her favourite tree and hang out with her big brother, Ben. But all Ben seems to care about is impressing the new lip-glossy neighbour, Sara. And all Sara seems to care about is turning Ellie's brother into a Hawaii husband!

Luckily, Ellie's best friend, Ling, has the marriage list - a top-secret tool to track the lovebirds and stop a wedding before it starts. But nothing goes to plan and, while trying to rescue Ben, Ellie ends up putting the weeping willow in her garden in danger. Faced with losing everything she loves most, can Ellie find a way to win back her brother and save her beloved tree?

An utterly charming story about a lovable 10-year-old with Down's syndrome whose extra sparkle never fails to shine bright.

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Reviews

Sara

Ellie is a 10 year old looking forward to the best summer ever! Her 'one extra sparkle' is Down's syndrome. She loves hanging with Ben, her big brother, but Ellie is getting increasingly more worried about how busy his life is becoming - with football, his part time job and now their new neighbour, Sara.

Ellie's best friend, Ling shows her 'The Marriage List' and convinces Ellie that Ben and Sara will soon be married as they work their way through the stages of the list. Ling’s list has six steps including hand-holding and kissing; Ellie starts to panic when they reach Step Three! Ellie and Ling spring into action to stop Ben and Sara getting married; either that, or Ben could end up as a Hawaii husband!

Ellie and the Marriage List is charming, amusing and sincere. Ellie is such an endearing character with her 'one extra sparkle'. She copes with life beautifully, overcoming her speech difficulties (with her special tongue unsticking tricks) and her wobbly moments with her muscles like spaghetti. Her family member are very supportive and she has a beautiful friendship with Ling.

At the back of the book, author Tricia Seabolt shares some facts about the superpower of Down's syndrome which is a lovely finish to a story full of warmth and empathy. A great read for independent readers of 8+, but the content is appropriate to share with ages 7+.

224 pages / Reviewed by Sara Sumner