Synopsis: Glastonbury: A gathering of free spirits having an amazing time in a magical setting. Laura's favourite band are playing there, and she can't wait to go. But her friends let her down, and she finds herself going by herself. Almost immediately she loses both her tent and her mobile phone, and is now truly on her own. It seems like the worst possible moment in her life, as she is stranded, alone, amongst people with a completely different lifestyle, who are quite outside her previous experience. A family of travellers take her in, and help her relax into the unique atmosphere of the festival, and then she falls in love. It all adds up to an unforgettable Glastonbury experience and Laura decides it's the only place to be.

Review: Fifteen year old Laura, let down by her two best friends, ends up travelling to Glastonbury alone. Shortly after arriving at the festival and conscious of appearing a ‘Glastonbury virgin’, she tries to adapt to the free spirited way of life which seems worlds apart from her middle class upbringing. Laura finds the atmosphere of the music festival infectious, yet is lonely because she has nobody to share it with. When she loses her tent and ends up camping with a kindly family of travellers Laura befriends the teenage daughter and unexpectedly finds romance with the son.

The story explores friendship and relationships, effectively capturing teenage awkwardness and self-consciousness amidst the buzz of a music festival. Tolerance of traveller communities comes across well. As Laura shares the life of a travelling family she becomes broader minded about their lifestyle and is surprised that both the teenage children have been educated (to A-Level standard) and that their father even has a degree. The family earn a living by selling hand-made belts and jewellery at the festival market place and Laura enjoys the traveller’s whole sense of community.

Labelled parental advisory for explicit content due to the book’s depiction of Laura’s sexual awakening, Hobden writes sensitively without over-glamorising under-age sex between two young people who are clearly attracted to one another and feel ready to take the next step. Hobden’s book also contains a scene where Laura smokes cannabis with a group of young people. Again Hobden shows the pleasure derived in the social act of smoking together but the experience is marred for Laura when she is publicly ill and humiliated in front of her peers. Throughout the story, travelling solo for teenage girls is not encouraged or glorified. Laura feels lost, lonely and afraid before she is welcomed into the travelling community, but is sensible and mature enough to be aware of the potential dangers.

Helen Hobden’s first published novel is highly readable. The funky cover illustration is ideal for the target audience. Be in the Place is an attractive summer read for teenage girls.

2006-11-14