Max and Ella, Stuck Together by Rahim, Kristina

Description

From the author of The Doughnut Club, comes a warm, heart-filled story, for every reader who needs help being true to themselves.

Max hadn’t thought about meeting his donor parent until his mums suggested it. After a tough year starting secondary school, where he was bullied, his confidence has been knocked and he’s struggling to enjoy the music he used to love. With a charity concert coming up, the last thing Max wants to do is let down his friends. Maybe meeting his donor, Hari, will help him figure out who he wants to be.

Hari is Ella’s dad and was a sperm donor before she was born. She’s fine with it, but she’s not fine with the idea of sharing him with some other kid she’s never met. With her mum working abroad and her best friend starting a different senior school, Ella’s dealing with enough change already. Now this decision her dad made in his past is messing with her future and she’s not happy.

When Max ends up gatecrashing Ella’s family weekend, things do not go to plan, and they are both pushed to the edge in more ways than one.

Will they stay stuck, or will they find a way to come together and the path to their true selves?Also by Kristina Rahim:The Doughnut Club (Shortlisted for the 2025 Books Are My Bag Readers Award)’Rahim weaves complex matters into a mystery with an absorbing plot, driven by its plucky, warm-hearted heroine’ – The Telegraph’A poignant, joyful, and warm-hearted celebration of family, friendship, and the things which make us all unique’ – Simon James Green