Jane Cuff

W.S: From 'rear-ender' to 'slender' Brenda Jane Cuff

Using humour, W. S skilfully tackles two very topical issues: bullying and obesity. The main storyline involves two 12 year old girls, Brenda and Katie, who over a period of time, find their circumstances reversed. The bully, Katie, gains weight and becomes known as 'Weighty' Katie, whilst the girl she cruelly nicknamed Brenda 'Rear Ender,' loses weight and is subsequently accepted by her peers and renamed 'Slender' Brenda. By cleverly turning the tables on Katie, the author is able to be very real about the destructive and painful act of bullying. Children are loving a book that is making them laugh and cringe, whilst subtly challenging the way they think and behave. Adults who read W. S with their children are transported back in time, whether they were bullied at school, or simply watched it take place. W. S is a big punchy story in a short book; one you'll struggle to put down once you've picked it up.