This is a vividly-written novel with a strong main character - a girl of mixed race in Victorian London. The author, herself of mixed race, has written sensitively on these topics before. Stella works as a stage clairvoyant, taught the tricks of the trade by Nana, her guardian. When Nana dies suddenly, Stella is left alone to fend for herself, battling against those who try to cheat her, and eventually finding out the truth about her own, unknown parents. Catherine R Johnson is establishing a name for writing about mixed-race teenagers - her previous book, "Hero", published simultaneously in B-format, deals with slavery and prejudice, also in a historical context. She lives in East London and is Book Trust's Children's Literature Co-ordinator for London, Writer in Residence at Holloway Prison, and a holder of a Royal Literary Fellowship.
- ISBN10 0192752316
- ISBN13 9780192752314
- Publish Date 1 August 2002
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 30 October 2010
- Publish Country GB
- Imprint Oxford University Press
- Format Paperback
- Pages 160
- Language English