Kids into Books: Mystery Bay

Author: Carol Krueger

Illustrator: Wendy Wray

Publisher: Shortland Publications, $9.85

Age group: 11+ years

The shopping centre was crowded. People were sitting at tables, eating off plastic plates that were piled with food. Women were carrying shopping bags to the car park, and there was a little kid screaming his head off. I stopped when I saw one of the displays in a window. A beautiful red top was draped softly over some really cool brown pants.

"It's awesome, Mum!" I said.

"It's got an amazing price tag, too!" she answered.

I sighed.

"Wishful thinking, eh?" said a voice behind me.

I couldn't believe it. Alice Parker stood there; her false smile was almost stretching off her face.

"Do you think you might need it for the audition next week?" I'm going for that part, too!" she boasted.

Mum smiled. "Hello, Alice."

Then she pulled me off towards the shoe shop. I could hear Alice's laughter echo over the noise of the other shoppers. It seemed to travel around the shopping centre and creep right into my ears. It made me squirm.

"Mum, I can't stand Alice Parker!"

"Don't say that, dear," Mum said softly. "I know it hurts, but you really have to feel sorry for people like that."

I stared at her. Sorry? Alice Parker had everything!