For teens

Snakes and Ladders

by Mary-Anne Scott

Scholastic, $21

Finn Fletcher is 16, lives in a remote coastal town, has a sort-of-girlfriend, is good at sport and plays a musical instrument.

He's also highly embarrassed by his parents. His dad's the local druggie and his mum ... well, she's just his mum who always wears the same clothes.

When Finn's father is charged with manslaughter, the family decide Finn is better off out of town. He is sent to a posh boarding school in Auckland where he has to deal with blackmail and bullies, all the while keeping a guilty secret. But it's not all bad. He meets a gorgeous girl and makes new friends.   The storyline touches on surrounding school balls and the consequences when things go wrong. This is an excellent read that explores the world of teenagers, particularly

males.

This is an excellent read that explores the world of teenagers, particularly males.