This weeks title: The Good Fortunes Gang
Author: Margaret Mahy
Illustrator: John Farman
Publisher: Random, $9.95
Age Group: 8-11 years
'Ice cream!' cried Pete's father, Toby, unexpectedly slowing the car as they drove into town. 'I need instant ice cream.' He glanced towards the back of the car where his sons, Simon and Peter, sat
on either side of Bombshell, the baby, in her car seat. They were snugly packed in with sleeping-bags, windcheaters, pillows, and plastic bags of nappies. All the big stuff had gone on ahead of them in packing cases and was supposedly waiting for them in the new house.
'Shops!' cried Maddy, their mother, as if they had not seen shops for years. 'I'm going to buy flowers, Toby.' She opened the door of the car and scrambled out, talking as she did so. 'Then, when your mother actually sees me for the first time ever, I'll be carrying a big bunch of flowers for her. And I'll get some apples. Forget the ice cream! Ice cream's just junk food.'
'Oh, come on, Mum,' groaned Simon, impatiently flinging himself back among the sleeping-bags. he was wearing black jeans and a black T-shirt, and had spent his Christmas money having his hair dyed black.
