Leaving No Footprints
Elaine Forrestal

A Puffin Book 2001 
111p pbk $14.95

0-14-131117-7

Leaving No Footprints is about a girl named Henny, a boy named Kip and his dog, Stranger.  Henny’s parents own a holiday house on Dog Beach.  It is called Dog Beach because it is a beach where you can take your dog.  Henny has two older brothers who do not go on this holiday. 

On the holiday Henny meets a boy named Kip. Henny can’t work Kip out.  He seems so moody and faraway sometimes.  Henny tries to learn more about Kip.  She doesn’t even know where he lives!  Kip is good at surfing and he tries to teach Henny how to surf but she is hopeless.  Then one night the two friend’s boat is trapped in a dark storm.  Gradually, Henny begins to learn more about Kip.

I thought the book was good although it is not really the type of book I normally read.  It was strange how one second Henny was telling the story then there would be dark writing and suddenly it changes so that Kip is telling the story.  I would give it a seven out of ten though as it was an interesting read, particularly if you like to read something a bit more unusual.

Chrystal, aged 13, Canberra, ACT