Being a girl of 13 years of age I like a book which will keep me gripped and this certainly did. Lulu, the 12 year old main charater in this book, is struggling to get along with her monsterous soon to be step mother, Varaminta. PLus it doesnt make things better with Varanuintas son on the scence. However after a terrible birthday, Lulu finds out that maybe that it wouldnt be so bad after all because of a certain bookshop... This book has lots of twists and turns and keeps you hooked. However I do feel this is a book that you could not read again and again and again. So my advice to you is not buy it but perhaps lend it from your local libary.