Kids into books: Three's a Crowd

Author: Penelope Huber

Illustrator: Ana Terry

Publisher: Longacre $14.95

Age Group: 11+ years

Sometimes Polly looks like magic.

'Got your stuff, Anna?'

I patted the red backpack beside me and swallowed. 'Have you had friends to stay much before?'

Polly frowned, thinking. 'Hmm, not really. Cousins a year or two ago. I like - mostly like - having home all to myself. With time for Sylvie. You'll love Sylvie. She's like a porcelain doll... you know their skin... so delicate. Almost perfect.'

Sylvie. The name made my skin prickle. I'd seen Polly read letters from her in class with the same glowing, wrapped-up look she had watching those hills. No way would I love Sylvie. But I made my mouth smile and nodded.

The bus slowed and swung into the shadowy terminal. Polly went berserk when she saw her father. She slapped the window with both hands and smacked her lips on the glass. While the brakes were still hissing, before I could even stand up, Polly was at the door, leaping out. Mr Grant pulled the pipe from his mouth and wrapped her in a bear hug. His dark head covered Polly's for a moment then he looked up as I came down the steps.

'Anna? Let's see you.' Mr grant's brown eyes crinkled with smile lines. 'Hmm, a bit skinnier than your mother at your age. But just about as good looking.'

'Don't tease, Dad,' said Polly. 'Anna gets embarrassed.'