Bad Hair Days: A mystery for children and young teens aged 10 - 14

by J.M. Forster

For Mallow, every day is a Bad Hair Day.

Wearing a wig means Mallow can hide her hair loss. But now someone's sending her creepy messages. It's a race to stop them before everyone discovers her secret.

Losing her hair was hard enough - but will she lose the people she cares about too?

A touching mystery about family, friendships and being different, from the award-winning author of Shadow Jumper.

For older children and young teens.

Genres: Childrens, Young Adult

210 pages, Paperback

Published September 4, 2017

About the author

A potted history:
Born in Sussex
School in Surrey
Live in Gloucestershire
Two sons and one husband, to date.

Reviews

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was surprised that I really enjoyed this book, since this isn't the type of books that I normally read. The beginning was a bit boring, but then it became more interesting with the mystery of whose sending intimidating messages, with the huge twist at the end. The book portrays significant messages regarding the beauty of being different and relatable friendship struggles, along with a narrative voice (by Mallow) that any reader can connect with. This book was a quick and light-hearted read.

[Catherine Pinkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important read about bullying those different to yourself, Alopecia, family relationship great read

[Sparkle · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG!!!! This book was so fun and nice to read! I hope you read it cause it was awesome!

[sydney- · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF
I didn't like the book, I lost interest after 40 pages. you win some, you lose some.

[Viktoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book about dealing with Alopecia and being yourself

[Felicity Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Proof, as if there were ever any doubts after the author's award winning debut novel, Shadow Jumper, that J.M. Forster gets right into the heart of stories featuring young people who just so happen to have health issues.

A mystery (someone knows Mallow's 'secret' but who?) but, for me, firstly a foremostly, a novel of discovery, of coming to terms with being you.

Bad Hair Days is a wonderful read but more than that its inspiring. Its main character, 14 year old Mallow, a revelation to all those who feel as if they don't fit in, that they too are different.

Marketed at an audience of 10 to 12 year olds, its a gripping, emotional, sensitively written read featuring so many issues including bullying, family, friendships, insecurity, all wrapped up in a story about a teenager who as well as dealing with all the 'usual' teenage angst is having to cope with the emotional (and practical) issues of having the hair loss condition, alopecia.

In short, its exactly the sort of thought provoking story that I'd encourage all children to read.

Copyright ... Tracy Terry @ Pen and Paper
Disclaimer ... Received with thanks from the author, no financial compensation was asked for nor given

[Ruth This one · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel slightly fraudulent reviewing a kids book - I’m not the target demographic, and I haven’t really read many in recent years so I don’t have an appreciation of the children’s books universe.

But I have recommended this book to my 12 year old daughter. It’s a fairly short book, and doesn’t fit into her preferred genres of long series, action, adventure and history. I am sure she will find it a very easy read and will race through it, and will almost certainly not feel it fits the bill of a mystery. It’s potentially a bit simplistic for her tastes - thinking about secondary school she’s read books as diverse as THUG, the Art of Being Normal and Turtles all the Way Down, but I’ve recommended it to her as it moves at a good pace and covers a topic which will make her think, and give her an insight into difference from a couple of perspectives. Summary for my family? It’s a filler with value.

[Soph Downey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very good I love how the character is really insecure because of herself I think it is really cool how she and her grandmother share the same condition

This book has a serious case of bullying and the ending is quite sad

[Hailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm definitely not the target audience for this book, but my partner has alopecia areata too, so I thought it'd be interesting to read a book about it. There was lots of teenage melodrama and characters inflating problems by hiding the truth, but it was worth it for the lovely speech at the end.

[Rubee Nisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good

Good vocabulary. Nice story, educational, age appropriate. Kept me interested and wondering what would happen next. Unusual plot and well written.

[Aisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic must read !!

I love the diversity in this book it brings so much awareness about how people cope with their own problems

[joanne keats · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply amazing.

Absolutely stunning. A must read. One of the best books you could ever find
I love the author so next I will have a look at some more.

[Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this really interesting and brilliant, I love these type of books because it interesting to see things from a different point of view.

[Denise Forrest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mallow suffers from alopecia. Starting at a new school, only her best friend Trude knows her secret... but it appears that someone else does too when she begins to receive odd text messages. Mallow tries to work out who knows her secret, to keep it from spreading.

This is a lovely story about being different. As Mallow begins to accept herself the way she is, she grows in confidence and popularity.

[Hartley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was pretty good 😌 but there were a few issues.

1: at the beginning it was a little boring but it did get a bit better

2: The mystery about who was sending the intimidating messages was fine but I knew by the second message it was those 2 girls but the mystery it self was pretty good

3: ……….


Thanks for taking the time to read this!

❤️ Hartley

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book.
I stumbled across this on my recommended reading list due to other books about disabilities and/or health conditions and fell in love with this book.
I would definitely recommend to family and friends.

[Kimberly Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAVE TO READ

Hey. This is a awesome book for teens who love mystery, friendship, and love. I chose a 5 star rating because it was just so exciting and and the girl (Mallow) in the book had so much bravery. I hope you have a awesome day and stay safe out there.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! It was a lovely little heart-warming story, about a young girl, Mallow, who suffers from alopecia. I absolutely adored it, and it was a fast read for me!
4 stars- it was a good little read. I enjoyed it, so who knows! Maybe, when you try it, you will too?! :)

[Christopher R Brands · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing book 👍

It’s an amazing book to follow along to and has a great story in it. I would recommend this book to 10 through 15 year olds, I just finished this book and I loved it 😊

[Karen Marquick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Downloaded this by accident....Didn't realise it was a teenager book. Good story though and one that my daughter would like.

[Hemat Shah · Rating 5 out of 5]

♥️🧡💛💚💙💜

This book is so amazing and cool and JM Forster is my favourite author if you like her too make sure you read shadow jumper 😉

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great middle school read

[jules (drowned in studying as of currently) · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 DNF

[Alissa Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of twists between possible endings but still slightly predictable. a beautiful ending however!

[Luna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and how Mallow gets over her fear at the end and it shows you're beautiful just the way you are!!💜

[madlen ★ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a child and classed it my favourite book back in 2020 (10/11 years old at the time). Can’t remember much of it but it ended up being a good book!!

[Mrs C H VASILIOU · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best ever

I loved this book it was very interesting there were no down sides to it I have been reading many others by J M Forster

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Bad Hair Days
Author: J M Forster
Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 21
Stats
Editing: 10/10
Writing Style: 9/10
Content: 10/10
Cover: 8/10
Of the 21 readers:
21 would read another book by this author.
17 thought the cover was good or excellent.
21 felt it was easy to follow.
21 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
12 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
20 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
21 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘Cool book. Loved it!’ Boy, aged 12
‘I liked how the author brings up important subjects but at the same time is good at writing an exciting mystery. So much happens in this story that I enjoyed. I liked Mallow too. She’s very sensitive and real. I like real characters.’ Girl, aged 13
‘This is about a girl who’s different. It’s important for children to understand that everybody is different, and it is important to help them, not bully them. A good book.’ Boy, aged 13
‘I thought it was a bit slow at the beginning, but it got much better. I liked the end a lot.’ Boy, aged 11
‘I read over 10 books every month; this is the best for this month.’ Girl, aged 12

To Sum It Up:
‘A fantastic mystery with a strong message. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards