By Kimberly Whittam (author)
"A genuine and engaging take on the early teen school story about finding friendship and your place in the world."
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In Always Angel , Kimberly Whittam once again captures the authentic, emotionally resonant voices of young people that marked her debut, Quiet Storm . This is a quietly powerful novel about belonging, trust and the long road back to believing in yourself.
Angel is a school refuser living in foster care after a series of traumatic events linked to her mother’s mental health. All she wants is to return home and be with her mum, but the reality of her situation feels overwhelming and unfair. Although her foster carers try hard to support her, Angel struggles to trust adults, interpreting even kindness as something temporary or conditional.
Returning to school after a long absence is equally fraught. Angel feels out of step with lessons and friendships, convinced that teachers and classmates are against her. Trouble seems to follow her wherever she goes, reinforcing a reputation she can’t escape and a belief that nothing she does will ever be right.
Yet, as the story unfolds, Angel begins to see that others around her are carrying hidden difficulties of their own, and that not all intentions are hostile.
A turning point comes through a school baking competition, where Angel discovers a space to express herself and to excel. Baking becomes both a creative outlet and a way of reshaping how she sees herself – not as the angry girl who storms out, but as someone capable, focused and valued.
Whittam writes with warmth and insight, perfectly attuned to how children think, speak and react. Always Angel is heartfelt and uplifting, not a story of victimhood but of resilience: about small steps, quiet acceptance and learning, slowly, that sometimes people really are working in your best interests.
This is a modern, genuine and engaging take on the early teen school story about finding friendship and your place in the world by finding out who you are.
A powerful novel about second chances, friendship and finding the courage to rewrite your story.
Read the full description
Angel finds school hard.
She talks back to teachers, she storms out of lessons, and she's had more detentions than any other Year 8 student...ever. But really, Angel wants to be good. She wants to fit in, she wants to make friends, and she even wants to win the school baking contest.
But it's hard to be good when everyone expects the worst. And with her mum not well enough to look after her, and Angel making more and more bad choices, she's starting to run out of chances...
Praise for Kimberly Whittam: 'A tender 10+ novel about the challenges of shyness in the bold world of school.' - The Guardian 'A captivating story about shyness and strength, reassuring and empowering.' - Sophie Anderson, author of The House with Chicken Legs 'Kimberly has captured exactly how I felt at that age. I'm so happy for all those quiet children who will finally feel more powerful and see their place in the world.' - Clare Weze, author of The Lightning Catcher
'I loved the book, and the quiet strong hero will really appeal to children about to start Year 7.' - Cressida Cowell, author of How to Train Your Dragon
Kimberly Whittam has a degree in English with Linguistics and a Masters degree in Inclusive Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. She currently works in secondary education and is passionate about giving young people in Manchester space on the bookshelf.
Picked up by Bookbuzz and Read Manchester, Kimberly’s first novel, Quiet Storm has reached over 30,000 young readers. Quiet Storm is also the Manchester transition read for the second year running, meaning in 2025, every child who started Year 7 in Manchester was gifted a copy.
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A powerful novel about second chances, friendship and finding the courage to rewrite your story.Angel finds school hard.She talks back to teachers, she storms out of lessons, and she's had more detentions than any other Year 8 student...ever. But really, Angel wants to be good.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Always Angel and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Always Angel features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, School Stories, PSHE: Health , Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Physical and mental health conditions, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Body and health
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Always Angel was written by Kimberly Whittam and published by Usborne Publishing Ltd. an imprint of Usborne Publishing
Always Angel has 229 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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