Amy and her friends are coming to the end of their time at Primary School and desperately want to go to the same secondary school as each other. However, it is looking increasingly likely for Amy that she is going to have to go to Thornberry as they have recently moved house. She also hates their new house - there are lots of things that need fixing.
One day, Amy’s gran has a fall and sprains her ankle. Amy’s grandad (Pops) has become quite forgetful so Amy, her mum and her two younger brothers Sam and Maxi have to move in with gran and Pops to look after them both. Amy’s dad is going to stay at home and do up their new house. Amy’s not very pleased about this though as it ruins some of her plans for the summer: cinema trip with her friends, sleepover at Cassie’s, birthday party at Molly’s. After moving in with gran and Pops, Amy discovers that a boy called Jay lives over the road and he’ll be going to Thornberry too.
‘Every Cloud’ manages to tackle lots of issues that children can relate to in a sensitive but humorous way. The transition from Primary School to Secondary School is a tricky one and can often put a strain on existing friendships. Making new friends is also a scary and difficult thing to do and I loved the development of the friendship between Amy and Jay. I also thought the relationship between Cassie and the other children was important as it demonstrated someone who comes across and confident but a little arrogant at times, whereas deep down Cassie was feeling insecure.
Jay’s stammer and Pops’ dementia were also explored in a sensitive way. I also liked how close Pops and Jay became and how they seemed to understand each other.
I can see a lot of children going through similar experiences to Amy and the other characters finding comfort in this book whilst enjoying the humour it brings alongside. Definitely one I will be recommending in my Year 6 classroom!

First I this book is a fantastic coming of age story , I think a great story for teens struggling with life sometimes showing them that whatever problem they are having there a sliver lining . How you can grow as a young person .

The characters was all amazing I love how you watch the main character grow . How she deals with every relationship and day to day life .

The books so well write . Story line fantastic . A wonderful story of seeing the positive side to life , and learning to just be happy with you and who you are .

This is such a good book for children, it is well written with a great storyline and characters that are well developed and relatable. Above all else it highlights how important it is to just be you, be true to yourself and opening yourself up to people, places and opportunities. I really enjoyed it.

Every cloud has a sliver lining and when you think that the world is totally against you. Things will turn around and soon everything will come up roses for you. You just have to hang in there. This book shows that this can happen. I loved the story of this book. How if you just keep going and Hanh in there everything will be ok.

This is the story of Amy who goes, with her mum and brothers, to stay with her grandparents. Gran has fallen and is on crutches and Pops is becoming more forgetful and they need some help while Gran recovers. Amy isn't happy that all of her plans for the summer have had to change. On top of this, Amy's family has recently moved house and so Amy now won't be going to the same secondary school as her friends.

I really enjoyed this book and already know which children at school will want to read it first when I get a hard copy. The characters were believable and all very distinctive. I felt that there was a strong message throughout, of the importance of being yourself and giving people a chance. I would love for there to be a sequel, partly to hear how the characters deal with the different changes faced by the end of the book but mostly because I'd like to know more about Cassie's story. She seems so unlike her friends and I think it would be interesting to learn more about her.

Amy is leaving Y6 and ready to start high school with her friends. The only problem is they had to move house earlier this year and it puts them outside the catchment area. When they have to go and spend the first two weeks of the summer holidays with their grandparents, Amy is angry because she won’t be able to spend this precious time with her friends.

At her grandparents’ house she meets Jay who is going to the school Amy will be forced at attend. As their friendship blossoms, she realises that making new friends isn’t always a bad thing.

This is a delightful book dealing with friendship, change, a stammer and dementia. I really liked that there was so much going on with each of the characters. No-one’s story was straightforward which highlights the fact that parental decisions can be complex and sacrifices had to be made by everyone in order to do the right thing for the family as a whole. Mum was managing Amy’s needs whilst looking after her brothers and supporting her ageing parents, doing a great job of juggling it all and showing the complexities of being an adult.

This story works on so many levels and would be ideal for anyone about to make the transition from primary to secondary.

I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.