Mercy's Birds by Linda Holeman (Floris Books, £4.99)

Either I am becoming less sophisticated, or teenagers are far more mature than I was in those tender years, but this novel was a jolly good read.

Life for the teenage Mercy is certainly not a bed of roses. She lives with her mother and aunt in a dilapidated house, but has to look after them both.

Her mother is gradually becoming more and more withdrawn.

Her palm-reading aunt is colourful and larger than life but her current live-in boyfriend is showing far more interest in Mercy than he should be.

In fact, things are so unbearable Mercy has taken to wearing only black and has hacked off her hair and dyed that black to match her mood.

Things begin to look up when she feels compelled to get a job to try and bring in some money.

She begs and pleads with the local florist to let her work with him after school and at weekends.

Appropriately, it is here she blossoms, thanks to the relationship she forms with the Italian owner and his mother.

This is a beautifully written novel by Linda Holeman and I would be surprised if does not cause most teenage girls to stay locked in their room for a couple of days extra, at least.

A treat for the end of all those exams, perhaps.

Jackie Harris