Dad secretly realizes that she needs be taught girl things that he is unable to explain, as her mum died years ago but is still alive in Willow’s daily thoughts.
There is no warm welcome at her aunt’s place.
Fleur resents having to share a room with Willow, whom she views as a country bumpkin, so mostly ignores her.
At school, she must stand against the bully Miles, and his band of followers, that have the power to make her feel more alienated than Fleur does.
Raised on a cattle farm, Willow is the total opposite to her cousin. She is vocal, active, intuitive and raw in her approach to city life and its expectations.
She comes to hate living with her aunt and wants to go back to the farm.
She decides to secretly get a job outside of school hours so she can save for a travel ticket. It must be something she can do during the time Cressida is away at work.
The resilient Willow accepts some gardening help for the elderly Mr B and a friendship builds between her and the elderly man. They stand on common ground as each has experienced loss and grief.
There is a prowler hanging around the elderly man’s house. Evidence of their coming and going concerns both Willow and Mr B, but they can’t find enough proof to confront anyone.
When other unexplained actions occur, Willow becomes concerned for her friend’s safety. The gutsy young girl is determined to solve the mystery and find the reason for all the mishaps taking place.
Tait has created an excellent novel with an impressive leading character in Willow. The varying themes connected to adjusting to change, and the difficulties experienced when trying to fit in, are well presented.
The floating mystery throughout the story and the slow evolving of the characters, creates an urgency in the reader to discover what happens next.
Title: Willow Bright's Secret Plot
Author: A. L. Tait
Publisher: Scholastic, $ 15.99
Publication Date: 1 July 2025
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 978176152836
For ages: 10+
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
