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One Extra Sparkle: Ellie and the Marriage List

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Book Synopsis

Ellie is ready to have the best summer ever. She’s especially excited to draw under her favourite tree and hang out with her big brother, Ben. But all Ben seems to care about is impressing the new lip-glossy neighbour, Sara. And all Sara seems to care about is turning Ellie’s brother into a Hawaii husband! Luckily, Ellie’s best friend, Ling, has the marriage list—a top-secret tool to track the lovebirds and stop a wedding before it starts. But nothing goes to plan, and while trying to rescue Ben, Ellie ends up putting the weeping willow in her garden in danger. Faced with losing everything she loves most, can Ellie find a way to win back her brother and save her beloved tree? An utterly charming story about a lovable 10-year-old with Down’s syndrome whose extra sparkle never fails to shine bright.

Our Review Panel says...

How would you feel if your brother was about to get married and become a Hawaii husband? Well, that is what Ling-her BFF (Best Friend Forever) and next-door neighbour explains to Ellie is going to happen according to the top-secret marriage list (made and given to them by Ling’s BBF- Best Ballerina Friend). Ellie panics when her brother (who is fifteen) and Sara (his new girlfriend) nearly reach the kissing stage-what comes next involves orange paint, a missing gift, Banana the fox, a ballerina ghost and the fight to save a weeping willow in Ellie’s back yard.

Most pages contain illustrations that reflect the storyline, represent Ellie’s love for drawing and play an important part in helping set the scene which is great for helping children’s imagination and encouraging reluctant readers.

The book is ideal for LKS2 and from age 6+. Ellie has Down’s Syndrome which is explained so sensitively in the book and is brilliant at bringing an awareness to children about this. There is also some further, well-thought-out information at the back of the book on Down’s Syndrome from the author. The book shines a light on the awesomeness of having the extra chromosome – represented as an extra sparkle.