The Tulip Touch could be a good read for someone interested in exploring the intricacies of a complex, dark friendship that evolves into obsession and violence. The book is targeted at an audience aged 10-13 and depicts the gradual decline of one girl into hostility and aggression. The unique aspect of this book is its portrayal of the dark side of adolescent friendships.

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• Whitbread Award for Children's Book of the Year (1996)

The story of a strange and disturbing friendship seen through the eyes of Natalie as she gets to know Tulip Pierce, a deliquent girl most others go out of their way to avoid. Nobody wants Tulip in their gang. She bunks off school, is rude to the teachers and makes herself unpopular with her classmates by telling awful lies. But none of this matters to Natalie who finds Tulip's behaviour exciting and dangerous. At first she doesn't care that other people are upset by Tulip's bizarre games but as the games become increasingly dangerous and sinister, Natalie realises that Tulip is going too far. Way too far... Tulip becomes even more destructive and after a row with Natalie she commits a terrible crime.This is a compelling story in which Anne Fine explores the dark side of a friendship bordering on obsession, and sensitively depicts one girl's gradual decline into hostility and violence.

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