Lilac Peabody and Charlie Chase — Annie Dalton

The third title in this sparkling new series for younger readers, from the creator of Angels Unlimited.

Lilac Peabody is a small and shimmery little alien being who flits around helping children and tackles any challenge presented. Sometimes she's an intergalactic party-planner, at others a cosmic beachcomber. But always a friend to any child that needs her. Lilac Peabody empowers children to solve their own problems and then disappears once they have achieved their aims.

This is the third of four short novels which all follow the same group of children within a school environment. Each novel centres on one of the children but it is Lilac's continuing presence that is the all-important link between the four children. It is to Lilac that the children reveal their true vulnerable selves.

Charlie Chase is a joker. He is a popular, confident boy but… he has a shameful secret. He can hardly read. He would much rather play football, computer games, or make everyone laugh, all the things that come easily to him. He is Lilac's biggest challenge so far, but she and Charlie win through in the end.