Jenna, the heroine of this novel, has only one ambition in life - she wants to fly. Drawing from the story of pioneer woman pilot Amy Johnson, and her Grandad's unfilled aspiration to be in the RAF, she follows her quest, despite opposition and prejudice. However this dream is overshadowed by the disappearance of a loaded gun from her grandfather's wartime experience, and her brother Ned's involvement with the sinister bully Gavin Lassiter.

This is a well-written novel, with flashbacks of past events interspersed with the main story to give a sense of time and pace. As with many of Swindells' novels, the story combines everyday life with a magical element but this aspect never really takes off and seems irrelevant.

The main problem with this book is its predictability. Swindells has apparently not made much effort to surprise the reader.

A Wish for Wings is an easily read novel which younger readers, especially, will enjoy but it is not Swindells' best work. When compared to the popular and award-winning Room 13 or Swindells' books for older readers, this is certainly not as good. Swindells' last book, Abomination, is recommended as a better read.

Reviewed by Susannah Rumsby