Written by Paola Peretti, translated from Italian to English by Denise Muir, published by Hot Key Books (Aug 2022).

Cover design by Nick Stern, illustration by David Dean.

Nearly thirteen, Mafalda’s best friends are rule-breaker Filippo, and her cat, Ottimo Turcaret. She’s been blind since she was ten so she has a different perspective of the world but she knows that she can rely on them both.

Her dad has lost his job and hardly leaves his bedroom, Mafalda doesn’t know what to say or do to help him. With her birthday coming up, she has a party for her friends at the house and longs for him to join in.

Debbie, her nemesis, likes Filippo too and it’s not long before Mafalda has to consider her feelings for him once and for all. Does she really like him like that? Or are they just friends? With more people coming into her life to help her navigate her world, Mafalda is surrounded by support but will she make the right decision on love and the joy, and sometimes heartbreak, it brings?

Paola Peretti’s follow up to ‘The Distance Between me and the Cherry Tree’ is a heart warming glimpse into teenage life. Tough decisions, honesty and choices to be made scatter around the characters as they go. A beautiful cover from David Dean adds to the story of Mafalda and those in her life.