Sundae Girl

Description

Jude Williams is a sweet, kind, and sensitive girl with a lot going on behind the scenes of her life.
On the outside, everything seems fine — she’s a bit shy, a bit awkward, and sometimes wishes she could be as cool and confident as other girls at school. But inside, Jude’s life is messy and complicated.

Her mum struggles badly with alcohol addiction, which Jude has to hide from everyone.
Her granny, who’s funny and full of life, helps take care of her — but even Granny can’t make everything better.
And Jude’s dad? He’s left, and she’s not sure he even wants to be part of her life anymore.

When Jude falls for a boy called Kevin, things start to look up. Kevin is funny, kind, and sees Jude for who she really is — not just the quiet girl from school. But just when things seem like they might be getting better, Jude’s mum’s problems get even worse, threatening to wreck everything.

Through all of this, Jude discovers how strong she is, how important true friends and family are, and that hope can survive even when life gets really tough.

The title “Sundae Girl” comes from one of Jude’s happiest memories — eating sundaes and feeling safe and loved — a symbol of how she holds onto the good moments when everything feels dark.

Key Themes:

• Family problems: Jude’s story deals with difficult issues like alcoholism and family breakdown in a very honest but hopeful way.

• Growing up and resilience: Even though things are hard, Jude shows huge strength and courage.

• Friendship and first love: Kevin’s friendship is a bright, sweet part of her life.

• Hope and positivity: Even when life is tough, there are still small joys worth fighting for.

Why Kids Love It:

• Relatable character: Jude feels real, and readers connect with her struggles and dreams.

• Emotional and heartfelt: Cathy Cassidy has a magical way of making serious stories feel comforting and inspiring.

• Easy, beautiful writing: The story flows smoothly and is packed with heartwarming and sad moments.