Half a Sister by Kelly McKain

Title: Half a Sister
Author: Kelly McKain
Published by: Usborne
Publication date: 30th August 2010
Pages: 272
Genres: Young Adult/Family/Contemporary
Format: Paperback
Source: Review copy from the author.

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A half-sister is better than none - or is it?

Hannah is thrilled at the idea of her newly discovered half-sister coming to live with her family.

She's always imagined a lovely sisterly world of girly chats, swapping make-up and sharing secrets and clothes.

Beautiful, glamorous Ellie seems to live up to all Hannah's expectations.

But gradually she begins to realize that Ellie has a darker side - one that threatens to tear Hannah's world apart.

This book is in a diary format, which is - in my opinion - a more fun way to read a book. Plus, a book in diary format breaks it all up a bit so it's easier to read for younger children. This starts off with Hannah (main character) telling us about herself, and why she started the diary. The idea of having a half sister is a very common theme for books, but Kelly McKain has managed to make it into an original, unique, funny book with a few twists and adventures to Paris along the way.

The cover of Half a Sister is gorgeous, and it gives a great first impression! I like how most of the cover is illustrated, but there are a few real flowers on it too. I don't think illustrators of books get enough credit for what they do, so I'd just like to say that Katie Lovell has done a brilliant job on this cover - well done!

The characters in this book are just simply....awesome. ;) My favourite character is Ellie, Hannah's newly discovered half-sister. She sounds quite cool, and although she has her down sides, she's a great addition to the story. Her background is really interesting - but sad - and not many authors give a lot of information on the background of a character, so this was great.

My overall rating of the whole book? Well - I can't see any down sides to it at all! A great book to add to your bookshelf. Although my copy of this book can't actually fit on my bookshelf...wow I really need a third one....ahem anyway, I give this book 5/5! It really does deserve it. Well done Kelly - you rock! :)

Thank you to Kelly herself for sending me a SIGNED COPY (!!!) Thanks so much! And....apparently I'm the first girl to read this in the whole United Kingdom! WOW. I can't thank you enough :)