Sophie - Adolescent Novel

Written by Libby Gleeson and illustrated by Ann James, Hannah Plus One is a novel for young readers about seven year old Hannah and her family. Hannah sees herself as an outsider within her family of five; she has older twin sisters and her mother and father. She starts questioning where she belongs, her identity and her future when her mother is heavily pregnant. Hannah is convinced her mother will have another set of twins and that she will remain the odd one out.The story is told in a third person mode and is quite an objective narrative. The text reads as concise and direct without many adjectives or thinking or saying processes. Gleeson uses short and sharp sentences to create effect.
"Baby.
Babies. She cannot ask. She cannot think.
They are in the car, driving towards the birth centre.
'I bet it's a boy,' says Lena.
'Girl,' says Sue.
'One or the other,' says Grandma.
Maybe both."

The storyline is one that many children could relate to, perhaps any child who has a younger sibling. The months before the arrival of a baby brother or sister can be stressful for children and cause strange behaviours. Hannah starts blaming an imaginary friend when she acts out due to her stress about the new baby. She doesn't know how to talk to her parents about her concerns so they cannot understand her actions.

Hannah Plus One was shortlisted for The Children's Book Council of Australia awards and is a good read for young students beginning novels.