Lara is the school friendship matchmaker and what she says goes! But when Emily, the quirky new girl in town, doesn’t want Lara’s services, or listen to Lara’s advice, will everything Lara has created unravel? Randa Abdel-Fattah’s new book is just heaven. As a former schoolyard occupant, I was disturbingly transported back to the no-holds-barred war zone of primary school, complete with bullies, harried teachers and slightly strange girls who sniff stationery. So funny, so warm and so real, this book deserves an A+.

Callie Martin is from Readings St Kilda