Cloudwish, by Fiona Wood

Scholarship girl Van Uoc keeps her school life and her home life strictly separate. It’s hard work living up to the stereotype of overachieving daughter of refugees, especially when you are starting to develop wants and needs that don’t fit the pattern. Her two worlds collide when she gets involved with jock of jocks Billy Gardiner, who is struggling with his own stereotype of parental and peer expectations. Luckily there is always Jane Eyre to turn to for guidance. Given their extreme reliance on Van Uoc for translation and negotiating bureaucracy, one wonders how on earth her parents managed for so many years before she came along. The actual wish element is unnecessary and a little silly; seemingly only present to justify the title; the story would have been better without it. But these are minor quibbles in a moving and engaging tale of cultural difference and finding your way.