An edgy, unusual story about a loner who finds peace with herself - and friendship.

Egg (real name, Victoria) lives with divorced parents - an ageing TV star mum and a special effects wizard dad.

Egg has renamed herself after the heroine of her favourite sci-fi movie and emulates her namesake in dress and by shaving her head and colouring her eyebrows.

She prides herself on being a longer and certainly has no time for boys.

Then she meets Max. Cool, friendly and smart, he likes science fiction too - and he likes Egg.

Gradually, Egg realizes that she's not boy proof, and learns to be comfortable being herself.

Max and Victoria end up doing different things and though they don't have a romantic relationship right away, they become good friends. An exceptional novel for older readers by a new talent to the Walker Books fiction list.