The Casson Family Stories By Hilary Mckay

What it is and who it's by: The Casson Family stories consists of five books: Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After and Forever Rose. This series is written by Hilary McKay, author of the award-winning The Exiles.

What it's about and who's in it: The series is based on 4 kids, children of very talented artists, trying to get through everyday life. The stories always have a moral, lots of twists and lots of humor. The more you read of it, the more addicted you get.The crazy and quirky things the Cassons do will make you roll on the floor laughing. The four children are all named after exotic colors, since their parents are artists. There's Caddy (named after Cadmium Gold), there's Saffy (named after Saffron Yellow), there's Indigo, called Indy by his family (named after Indigo) and there's Rose (named after Permanent Rose). Caddy is a scatterbrain, she leaves things lying around and she forgets about them and she worries about lots of things as well. Saffy is a very tough and stubborn girl. She isn't really the three siblings' sister, she's their cousin. Her mother, the three siblings' aunt, had died when she was three and had lived with the Cassons ever since. She gets into lots of fights, especially boys, but is extremely intelligent. Indigo is very shy but outgoing. He will do anything it takes to overcome his fears. Because in a family full of girls, he thinks he's the one the should have no fear. Rose is a very talented artist. She draws everywhere, t-shirts, tables and even walls. Paper is always her last resort. She knows lots of things about art, what kind of things would go together and what kinds of colors would go together. She is persistent and doesn't like to leave things undone. This series is told in third person and always has an enlightening ending that will warm your heart.

What I think: This series is very understandable and can warm anyone's heart. I have had a fantastic time reading it and still wanting some more. I highly recommend it for 13-15 years of age. You will never find a family quite like this, except in this series. All in all a very exciting series and I hope I can find other books like this. I give it a 9.7/10 for creativity, uniqueness and quirkiness.

Cheers,

Erika