Vinny’s house is a bit of a warzone at the moment. It really shouldn’t be because his mum is a life coach and answers questions for a living.
She spends her days building her brand and helping out strangers with their problems. But it seems to Vinny that she can’t see all the problems under her own roof.
Vinny’s teenage sister is angry all of the time, and if she isn’t storming around the house or slamming doors, she’s talking loudly with her friends on her cellphone and then getting upset.
His dad is working longer and longer hours and lately doesn’t even come home.
Not sure how to help his family members, Vinny doesn’t want to make things even worse with his own problems. He has two very good friends who he hangs out with at school and plays D&D on the weekends with. But even that’s changed lately after two girls join their tight group of three in a class project.
One night, while home alone, Vinny looks at his mum’s old blog and sees unanswered questions. Some seem far too complicated, but some seem perfectly simple to Vinny. The solution he gives to many is the solution he wants for himself – to be able to talk to somebody about his worries.
This story has been published with dyslexic readers in mind, with special fonts, paper and presentation, but as with all Barrington Stoke novels, the topic is universal for all readers.
A home full of busy people who have become disjointed from each other due to work stress, influencer expectations, time restraints and teen dramas left to boil over, is a possible scenario for many families. Vinny is neurodivergent and when he doesn’t have his family or his friends to talk to, he is also left struggling on his own.
A thought provoking and credible read from a Costa Book Award shortlisted author.
Author – Helen Rutter
Illustrator – Julia Christians
Dyslexic Read / Reading Age 8 / Interest Age 9+
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(2026, Barrington Stoke, Intermediate (NZ), Harper Collins, Dyslexic, Dyslexia, Reluctant Readers, Family, School, Friendships, Growing up, Real Life, Secret, D&D, Dungeons & Dragons, Friendship Dynamics, Problems, Questions, Someone to talk to, Solutions, Parental split)