The Girl Who Wished To Be Good

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Summary

How can you feel good about yourself when you've done something bad in the past? 10-year old Chloe needs the answers, and fast. Will a mysterious 'owl tree' be able to help her in time? 10-year old Chloë Taylor has an unusual wish that she longs to come true. For haunted by a terrible secret that she has never dared to reveal, and tired of trying to be liked and loved, Chloë’s wish is to feel good about herself, and to be freed from the guilt and shame that has clung to her for several years. The wish seems impossible until the day that word reaches Chloë about a mysterious, hollow-shaped “owl tree” in the wood stretching away from the back of her parents’ garden. The owl tree, it is said, has the ability to make any wish come true. Upon finding the tree, however, the pursuit of Chloë’s wish becomes even more complicated. For the tree is not prepared simply to grant the wish; rather, it sets Chloë a series of tasks that may, or may not, guide her to achieving it. The tasks take Chloë and her best friend, Harry, on a testing journey of “trial and error” that create clashes with their parents, siblings, schoolteachers and friends. But it is confronting her terrible secret that poses the greatest challenge for Chloë. Through tears, fears, triumphs and laughter, the children discover the hard way what it really means, and takes, to be “good”. The answer, when it

Status
Complete
Chapters
27
Rating
n/a
Age Rating
13+

Introduction

For Katja, my beautiful niece and my inspiration for writing this.

For ‘little Fran’, who really needed to hear this stuff when she was growing up. And still does.

For the real Tanzanian Rose who lit up my life, and taught me to give and receive love at a whole new level. I wish I had adopted you. Rest in peace.

For my grandpa, Rupert Elliott, who left my life when I was eight, but whose love and guidance is forever with me.

And for all the children, and adults, who read this … may you go through life knowing that you are “good enough”.