The boy who could fly by Laura Ruby

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HarperCollins, 2008. ISBN: 9780007210107
(Age 10+) Sequel to The wall and the wing, this is another original fantasy set in New York. Gurl is now living with her long lost parents, The Richest Couple in the Universe, and her friend Bug is busy making advertisements and doesn't seem to have time for her. Gurl's classmates at the posh school make her life a misery, and she can't even turn invisible to get away from them because she has promised her parents not to use her skill. But when a vampire appears outside her window, Gurl just has to do something!
There is action and adventure galore in this off-beat story. A fearsome octopus and a giant sloth are two of the fabulous monsters that Gurl and Bug have to contend with, as well as a strange artist called the Chaos King and scary vampires. While all the action is going on, Gurl, or Georgie as she is now known, has to contend with the rich bullies in her class, and yearns for her old friend Bug who seems to be totally engrossed in gaining publicity for himself.
Ruby has combined an engrossing mix of adventure and an insightful look at the meaning of friendship and the complexities of being rich and famous.
Pat Pledger

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