6.2 /10 1 Votes6.2
Country Great Britain Series The Leehampton Series Publication date April 20, 1995 Genre Young adult fiction | 3.1/5 Goodreads Language English Publisher Piccadilly Press Ltd. Originally published 20 April 1995 Page count 176 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Cover artist Susan Hellard and Fielding Design Followed by I Think I'll Just Curl Up and Die! Rosie Rushton books How Could You Do This to M, I Think I'll Just Curl Up and D, Break Point, Does Anyone Round H, Best Friends Together | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Just Don't Make a Scene, Mum! is a young adult novel by Rosie Rushton. It is the first book in her popular Leehampton series. It was first published in 1995 by Piccadilly Press Ltd.
Contents
Plot introduction
Chelsea Gee is the fifteen-year-old daughter of famous reporter and agony aunt Ginny Gee. Her father is unemployed and loves to cook exotic food. Her brother, Warwick, is leaving to Indonesia to help save the trees and her sister, Geneva, studies in Chicago. Chelsea is ashamed of her mother, because she is overweight and lacks fashion sense.
Laura Turnbull's parents are divorced. Her dad lives with his girlfriend "Bestial" Betsy, and her kids Sonia and Daryl. Laura lives with her mum in a little house. Ruth's going out with Melvyn, who Laura hates. She thinks that her parents should live together.
Jemma Farrant's mother is very old-fashioned. She thinks her daughter should wear hand-knitted jumpers with little bears on it to school. Jemma is not allowed to have a boyfriend or wear make-up.
Jon Joseph has a talent for art, but his father wants him to study law at Cambridge. His mum is not surprised, because she likes painting too, but she cannot understand why her son wants to go to Lee Hill instead of Bellborough Court.
Sumitha Barenji's father thinks that his daughter should have long hair, no make-up and no boyfriend. Sumitha is unhappy and she wants her dad to change. Luckily, her mum is on daughter's side.
Plot summary
Laura calls into Ginny Gee's agony aunt radio show under a false name and complains about her divorced parents and her mother's new boyfriend. Ginny recognises Laura's voice and feels uncomfortable, as she is friends with Laura's mother. Laura's father also hears the show, and wonders about his daughter's happiness.
Meanwhile, Jon argues with his father about his choice of career. Jon leaves on his bike, but accidentally collides with Laura. At first they argue, but they soon realise they are getting along well.
Sumitha's father forbids her to go to a party, but she goes to Laura's for a sleepover and they sneak out together. Chelsea dances with Rob, and Sumitha with Jon, which irritates Laura. After the party Laura and Sumitha argue about Jon.
Few weeks later, there is a parents' meeting at school. Then the holidays start and girls are going abroad with their parents (except Jemma, who is going to Paris with teachers and some students from Lee Hill). But before leaving Leehampton, parents organise a party at the Gees'.