Two is a Crowd

Two is a Crowd is a brilliant, thought-provoking and sensitively written story with Cath Howe's hallmark empathetic understanding of the emotions and experiences her young readers may be facing in today's society. Two is a Crowd is a tale of transitions and uncertainties, exploring how hard it can be for young people when the known factors of life suddenly shift around and they no longer know quite where they fit - or if anyone else wants to make room for them anymore anyway.

It is nearly the summer holidays before the start of secondary school and loud and lively Hattie is at the centre of the chaos and whirlwind of those precious last Y6 weeks, revelling in the childish freedoms and owning the playground with BFF Amber (who she plans on being inseparable from in Y7). The promise of her own bedroom at home is just round the corner too . . .

Hattie has often dreamed of a sister but when mum's goddaughter, quiet and compliant Seren, urgently comes to stay, Hattie doesn't feel the thrill of sisterhood at all. Already orphaned, and now needing to be cared for after another family illness, Seren is clearly (as Hattie sees it) getting all the attention and the sympathy vote from Hattie's family. Even older brother Corrie has a soft spot for her. And just where are mum and dad thinking she will sleep?

Alongside feeling pushed to the side at home, Hattie is out of her comfort zone in Year 7 at her new school. BFF Amber hasn't really been in touch over summer, there is far more competition for a place on the football team, and Seren is looking like a model pupil. Hattie feels out of sorts, hot tempered and hard done by. She is not having an easy time of it and it seems as if she isn't making it easy for anyone else either. Jealousy and fear are overwhelming.

What I love about Cath Howe is that she isn't afraid to make her main characters a challenge for her readers. They aren't always immediately endearing; they don't always do the 'right thing'. Hattie questions, argues, demands and sulks - but her behaviours tell us how confused and unfair she is finding all the changes in her life and makes her totally relatable and relevant to Howe's readers. Silent Seren is a mystery but we just know something is bubbling away there too, and there is a real build of tension in the atmosphere between the two young girls.

Hattie catches at your heartstrings as you get to know her - her abrasiveness hides a huge amount of understandable hurt. The social rules and expectations are beyond her right now. Her honesty and impulsivity are heartfelt emotions and not deliberate choices. When Hattie starts to look outwards, makes some new community connections and makes hesitant overtures to Seren, they are all the more meaningful and exciting to see. Kindness seems to be the key that can unlock Hattie from her isolation.

Illustrations throughout the book engage the reader in the characters' moods and moments. The story is powerful but written gently and warmly and her fans will find understanding and recognition among its characters and themes. Two is a Crowd is an optimistic and observant story that promotes the power of resilience and emotional connection.

256 pages / Reviewed by Jenny Caddick, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Hattie has always wanted a sister, someone to be on her side, so when Seren, the daughter of her mother's best friend, comes to stay with the family, Hattie is hopeful that things will work out. Initially, Seren seems distant and wooden, but soon Hattie feels pushed out by her presence at home. Combined with a shaky start at secondary school, her best friend going off with someone else and failing to make it onto the A team for football, Hattie is soon struggling to find her place in the world.

A new book from Cath Howe is always something to celebrate and Two is a Crowd offers the same high standard of accessible, enjoyable story as those which come before it! Pitched perfectly for its targeted group, Two is a Crowd explores Hattie's conflicting feelings of jealousy, inadequacy and increasing anxiety in a way which encourages empathy, opening doors for conversations about this very relatable, likeable young girl and her experiences.

Like many of us, in seeking to make things better, Hattie only makes things worse for herself, struggling to see things from other perspectives, yet she is genuine and good-hearted, gaining sympathy and understanding. At the same time, Hattie sees Seren as wooden and unfeeling and somehow perfect, but Seren's emotional turmoil is every bit a keen. We are all different and all cope with our emotions and upheavals in our own way!

Two is a Crowd would make an excellent class story for Year 6's (ages 10+) readying themselves for the move to secondary school, perfect for encouraging discussions and exploring how to deal with new situations and the changes ahead. The short chapters and engaging illustrations lend it to being shared in this way whilst also making it a very achievable (and enjoyable!) independent read for those still developing their reading stamina.

Offering a very positive and hopeful outcome which shows Hattie moving forward without the treacherous ex-best friend and forging her own path, this is an excellent read!

256 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+