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Fortune Cookie ISBN: 9780007224623
Ure, Jean
Published by HarperCollinsChildren'sBooks, 2009
Fudge Cassidy and the Cupcake Kid, sometimes known as Dani and Lisa, are best friends. Cupcake's little brother, Joey, who has muscular dystrophy, is a great favourite with both girls, and Cupcake is very concerned about his worsening condition. He used to be able to walk and ride his tricycle, but he now must use a wheelchair most of the time. When the girls manage to acquire a dog for Joey, which he names Cookie, the little boy is ecstatic, and boy and dog are soon inseparable. When Cookie needs a serious operation which Cupcake's mum can't afford, Joey is very upset, and the girls vow to find the £300 one way or another. Their efforts are funny and moving, and involve some nefarious and somewhat illegal moves that come out well in the end. told in the first person by Fudge, a feisty, fast-talking 11 year old, the story is racy and a page turner, and the relationship between the two girls and Joey is realistically portrayed, even if their adventures seem a tad unlikely. A good read and a fair portrait of a child who can show temper at the unfairness of his disability, but doesn't let it get him down.
Age: 9+