Tulip Touch, The

Natalie lives in a hotel run by her parents and becomes fascinated by Tulip, a social pariah from a troubled home. They engage in increasingly cruel games, from 'Stinking Mackerel' to arson. The story follows Natalie's internal struggle as she realizes Tulip's behavior is fueled by systemic neglect and abuse, leading to an inevitable and tragic breaking point. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals directly with child neglect and implied physical abuse. The approach is realistic and stark. The resolution is famously ambiguous and haunting: it does not offer a 'happily ever after' for Tulip, but rather a somber lesson on boundaries for Natalie. EMOTIONAL ARC: It starts with an alluring, rebellious energy that slowly transforms into dread and claustrophobia. The ending is heavy, leaving the reader with a sense of lingering guilt and complex sadness. IDEAL READER: A middle school student who is beginning to question the 'rules' of friendship and who may feel responsible for a 'troubled' friend's actions. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child being manipulated by a peer or lying to cover up a friend's destructive behavior. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware of the final chapters involving fire and the lack of a tidy resolution for the antagonist. It is a book that benefits from a 'check-in' halfway through. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers (10-11) may focus on the excitement of the rebellion and the 'mean girl' dynamics, while older readers (13-14) will better grasp the tragedy of Tulip's home life and the psychological weight of Natalie's complicity. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many 'problem novels' of the 90s, Anne Fine refuses to simplify Tulip into a villain or a victim. It is a chillingly unsentimental look at how some bonds are better broken.