A NAME TO REMEMBER...

More readers with cool and unusual names tell us what it's like to stand out from the crowd!

Shade says:
I am a unique and outgoing person and I think my name shows that, but people do often mispronounce it. I have one teacher who just misses out random letters from my name, even though we spent five minutes discussing it when we first met. She still gets it wrong! When I first started school, some people called me Shay-Day, as if I was a new day of the week! It's pronounced Shard-ay, like the amazing singer Sade. My family are Nigerian and my full name is Fola Shade, which causes even more confusion, but I don't care as the name means 'you are born with riches and will have a good life'! Sounds good to me…

Rosanthie says:
Everyone seems to like the name Rosanthie - when I was younger I thought it made me sound a bit like a princess, and of course nobody has the same name which is cool. The downside of having an unusual name is that some people imitate me saying in silly voices, and say it's weird. At the moment I don't like the name much, so I mostly use 'Rosie'! My dad has a family friend with the name 'Rozanthie' and my parents loved it, so they asked if they could use it too, and changed the spelling. It is a made-up name and my mum said she knew she wanted me to be called Rosie, but also wanted me to have the option of a name that sounded more grown-up once I was older. I think it's a pretty good plan!

Slaney says:
My name, Slaney, is an Irish name and that's cool because I am actually half-Irish! I like it because it is really unusual and you hardly ever find anyone else with the same name. It means 'good health' I think. There is also a River Slaney in the south of Ireland! It can be a little annoying sometimes, though, to have this name - occasionally, when I haven't met someone before and they haven't heard my name spoken out loud, they just glance at it and then call me Stanley! Not good!

Caoilinn says:
My name is Irish too; it means fair or pure and it's pronounced Caylin. I like my name because it's different and it makes me stand out from the crowd. I don't like it when people can't spell it, though! Only my best friends get it right, and even teachers get it wrong when marking my books! People also call me 'Caroline' or even 'Colin' or 'Cowlin'! I guess I should think myself lucky, as you can also spell the name as 'Caoilfhionn'! Yikes!

Cathy says:
I love all of these fab and unusual names! Do YOU have a cool name? COMMENT BELOW to tell me what you love/hate about it!

HANNAH: THE 'DON'T JUDGE' CHALLENGE IS NOT WHAT IT SEEMS...

Reader Hannah describes how an internet challenge has turned into something toxic and dangerous… 

Hannah says:
If you are anything like me, you spend the majority of your spare time on the internet. With social media now a seemingly essential part of teenage life, you may put a status, picture or video on the internet and in return perhaps receive hateful comments and opinions on that post. People may 'judge' you from what you do or post, which of course is NOT OK.

So when I saw the 'Don't Judge Challenge' had become the latest internet fad, I was hopeful that this would help people to feel confident within themselves. I hoped it may be beneficial to young people. However, I was very wrong. Sadly the challenge has turned into something vain and even dangerous, and has become the very opposite of what its name implies. Teenagers styled themselves to look 'ugly' and then revealed their 'true selves' - a self that fitted society's standards of beauty, of course. Spots, monobrows, glasses, big teeth and messy hair were all considered 'ugly'. If the challenge was not to judge people, then it has failed. If you have glasses, it DOESN'T make you ugly. Likewise if you have other so-called flaws. The majority of the 'true selves' pictures were caked in make up and acting very vainly… attractive? Really?

I advise you to look at EM FORD's powerful video if you haven't already, as it is a much better example for young people on this sometimes overpowering place called the internet. It is throught provoking and sad, but shows that the real ugliness are those hate comments on the internet, and the sad, cruel and insecure people who make them. We are better than this, surely? You don't need someone to call you pretty to feel pretty. Whether you are a bit chubby or slim, have braces or perfect teeth, glasses, wear make up, no make up…. no matter what, you are beautiful. You don't need to do this challenge to make you feel pretty and you don't need to watch them and end up feeling ugly.

No matter what, you ARE beautiful.

Hannah writes a regular blog at: http://tinyclocks.weebly.com/

Photograph of phone pic modelled by Caitlin

Cathy says:
Hannah's post uncovers some very thought provoking ideas, and shows how dangerous and unhealthy the internet can be… especially for young people who are still coming to terms with their changing looks and trying to build confidence. I agree… the real ugliness is inside, in cruel, bullying behaviour that makes others feel sad and small. Think twice before judging anyone… you don't know the harm it can do, to the victim and also to yourself. Have YOU been judged harshly by others? Or have YOU ever left a mean comment on someone's post? COMMENT BELOW and tell us more...

RELEASED INTO THE WILD… FORTUNE COOKIE!

The series finale of THE CHOCOLATE BOX GIRLS is here… six weeks after publication date, I've finally taken time out to tell you about FORTUNE COOKIE!

Cathy says:
FORTUNE COOKIE was not an easy book to write. It wasn't just the story of new character Jake Cooke, the long-lost half-brother of the Tanberry sisters, but the book that tied up all the loose ends for the other characters too, and it took a while to work out how to weave all of those story strands together to make a book that would be as addictive as the rest of the series.

To be fair, a part of me didn't want to let go of that whole Tanglewood world at all. I made countless false starts and played around with the plot until I wasn't just cutting it fine - I'd missed my deadline completely. Typically, it was at this point I knew exactly which storyline was the right one. I did something brave - and foolish - and very risky - and pressed 'delete' on the story I had so far. I started from scratch. It could have gone horribly wrong. I could have messed up and lost the plot completely, but with the help of lots of coffee and some very late nights, I got the book finished just in time to meet my new 'revised' deadline. My editor was relieved. I was even more relieved… phew.

FORTUNE COOKIE is the story of the long-lost half-brother of the Tanberry sisters, a boy whose life has been very different to theirs. He looks like them, fair haired and smiley, and he's a good person - he just happens to be seriously accident prone. When Cookie's latest escapade creates so much havoc it wrecks the flat where he and his family are living and infuriates their landlord, he is filled with remorse and guilt. And when a letter turns up from a girl claiming to be his half-sister, and enclosing a train ticket to Somerset, the temptation to run away and leave his troubles behind is just too much. At Tanglewood, Jake meets his new half-sisters and slots easily into a new world of beach bonfires, picnics and summer swims that couldn't be more of a contrast to his old life back in London. He is working on a plan to put things right back home, but before he can do that the past catches up with him…

If you haven't read FORTUNE COOKIE yet, make it top of your summer reading list. This book will answer all your questions about the series so far: will Summer ever get properly better and find a happy ending? Will Skye ever see Finch again? Will Coco and Lawrie ever be more than just good friends? Will Honey and Cherry ever make peace? And can there be a future for Honey and Ash? The reviews for FORTUNE COOKIE have been awesome so far… many readers say it is their favourite CHOCOLATE BOX book of all. Grab yourself a copy (it's on sale in all good indie bookshops, Waterstones, WH Smith, Tesco, Asda… and online, of course!) Pour yourself a cool drink, curl up in the sunshine and escape to Tanglewood one last time…

Have you read FORTUNE COOKIE already? COMMENT BELOW to share your views or arrange to send in a review for DREAMCATCHER!

BLUE: REMEMBERING PAPILLON

Reader Blue writes about the pain of losing a much-loved pet in this powerful post…

Blue says:
My beautiful little buddy was put to sleep last week… and I am devastated. Papillon had an incurable bladder condition and although we tried anti-biotics and a special diet, the problem only got worse. But that's not how I want to remember him… I want to think of him as a happy, mischievous cat who loved sunbathing and stealing people's seats. I want to remember him as an unbelievably fancy, stuck up cat who would revert to kitten if you rubbed his belly. I want to remember him as a sweet, placid cat who, whilst we may only have had him for five short years, left indelible paw prints on our hearts and dodgy stains where he peed on the carpet.

That's who he was - and he deserves recognition for being such an amazing spark of light in the dreary dullness of my adolescence. Papillon, I love you and I am going to miss you so much. How am I supposed to survive without my little buddy, huh? Have fun at the Rainbow Bridge - I bet Finn has reserved you a sofa to scratch. What can I say, ladies and gentlemen? Time to play 'Can't Smile Without You' by Barry Manilow or 'Gloomy Sunday' by Billie Holiday and scroll back through all those memories…

The last word goes to Papillon: 'Mew. Prrrrrp!'

This blog was first published in Blue's own blog, The Bitter Bluecolic. You can read/ follow Blue's blog here: http://thebitterbluecolic.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

Cathy says:
I loved this piece and the heartfelt emotion behind it. I too have lost some much-loved pets over the years and I can definitely identify with Blue's feelings for Papillon. Have YOU ever grieved for a very special pet? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more... 

TAMARA: THEY'RE SPREADING RUMOURS...

Reader Tamara has a question for Honey Tanberry… can the oldest Chocolate Box Girl solve the problem?

Tamara says:
I just don't know what to do. People are spreading rumours about me and things I've done in the past. I've moved on from those things and I don't know why people are raking it all up now all of a sudden. I feel so confused and I don't say anything, but my friends think I'm ignoring them because I'm so quiet. To make things worse, my friends are hanging out with people they know I don't get along with. I don't want to have issues with anyone, but nor do I want to have to fix problems I didn't even create. What would you do, Honey?

Honey says:

First of all, refuse to be bullied for mistakes you may have made in the past. I have made plenty, trust me, but if anyone tried to use those mistakes against me I would ask very calmly and clearly why they want to drag up the past. I would also ask them if they had never made a mistake themselves. Yes, I have made mistakes but I have learned from them and I will not be picked on for living my life… so speak up and make it clear you know that certain things in your past may not have been perfect, but that you have moved on. Ask the rumour-mongers to move on too. Hopefully your friends will respect you for speaking up. You have a choice whether to hang out with their new crowd, but if you know you don't get on with that group look for new mates and see your old friends when they are away from the main group. The main message is not to buy into the drama. Find new friends who support and respect you and refuse to let spiteful rumours and friendship feuds bring you down. Good luck.

Cathy says:
Friendship problems can take time to sort, but I agree with Honey here, don't let yourself be dragged into the drama. Do YOU agree with Honey's advice? What would YOU add? COMMENT BELOW to have your say...

SKYE'S HOROSCOPES FOR JULY...

Skye Tanberry looks into her crystal ball and makes some predictions for July… psychic, silly or spookily spot-on? You decide!

ARIES: Summer sun brings the opportunity for travel, adventure, sports and fun - don't waste a minute, enjoy the freedom!

TAURUS: Plan your summer out - you don't like surprises, so take control and get organised! Your friends will look to you to take the lead.

GEMINI: This could be the month you finally get together with your crush… but first you have to decide WHICH crush! Fickle? You? No… just a born romantic!

CANCER: Holidays are fun, but sometimes you're happiest at home… plan some sleepovers and picnics with your friends and get exploring your local area!

LEO: Your ideal summer would be spent on a sun-kissed beach, sipping ice-cold smoothies and holding court to your friends… whatever you do, your July will be super-cool.

VIRGO: Time to ditch the shyness and make some new friends this summer… join a club or learn a new sport or skill. You'll wonder why you waited so long!

LIBRA: You may find yourself stuck between two friends who've fallen out… don't be dragged into their squabble, remind them of what friendship is all about and help them make peace!

SCORPIO: Don't neglect old friends this summer… call them up and make plans to meet. You may find yourselves becoming closer than ever!

SAGITTARIUS: This summer, you have a creative project bubbling away in your mind - be brave and have a go at making it a reality. You'll never know if you don't try!

CAPRICORN: Don't let worries about the future stop you having fun in the present. Soak up some sun and lose yourself in a good book… and watch the worries fade.

AQUARIUS: You're never short of friends, so summer should be just about perfect… be the one to get everyone together for a beach party or a picnic and just chill and enjoy the fun!

PISCES: You're a real water-baby, so take full advantage of that this summer… learn a new skill, like diving, kayaking, surfing or sailing! You'll make new friends too, and that's always a bonus!

Cathy says:
Ooh… mysterious! Is Skye onto something? Are her predictions accurate or way-off? Do YOU take much notice of your star sign? COMMENT BELOW to have your say!

HOLLY: BLOODSPORTS ARE WRONG!

Reader Holly cares so much about animals that she has contacted her MP to ask them to protect the bill that outlaws hunting with hounds, which the government are trying to overturn this week…

Holly says:
Right now, our foxes are facing a crisis. The Conservative government have proposed some frightening changes to the Hunting Act. Fox hunting with hounds is illegal now (although culling foxes by shooting is allowed), but if the bill is changed in the way the Prime Minister wishes, it will become legal for foxes to be set upon by packs of dogs. This is very different from shooting a fox to protect farm animals. The fox is chased until exhausted by people on horseback and packs of baying hounds; it is then torn to pieces. The suffering and viciousness of the act is intensified and it is clear just how cruel and wicked this is. To think this could be legalised in the next few days by the most powerful people in the country is terrifying. I can't imagine why anyone would want to do such a thing.

I think that all animals are beautiful. Foxes are gorgeous woodland creatures that deserve to be left alone, undisturbed. Whatever happened to compassion? To care? To love and respect for nature?

We need to fight against this change and not allow disaster to happen. We need to protect the Hunting Act and stand up for our wild creatures, who may once more find themselves victim to a vicious bloodsport, a bloodsport that should have ended a long time ago.

I love drawing and dream of being a writer and an illustrator, so I made a picture which expresses my feelings on this issue… you can see it, illustrating this feature. Wild animals - not just foxes but hares and stags also - need us to stand up for them. We must not allow this so-called sport to be legalised again. I have emailed members of the SNP and the Labour Party today to ask them to vote to protect the foxes - you can do the same. The foxes will thank you.

Illustration by the wonderful Holly!

Cathy says:
I am 100% in agreement with Holly. I believe that fox hunting, stag hunting and hare coursing are shameful bloodsports and belong firmly in the past; they have no place in 21st century Britain. The amendments to the Hunting Act will be discussed on Wednesday… I too have written to my MP and signed petitions to show how upset I am by the threats to make hunting legal again. What do YOU think? COMMENT BELOW to have your say...

SANDIE: I PACKED A BAG AND LEFT...

For reader Sandie, home life was so unbearable she couldn't take it any longer…

Sandie says:
We were a happy family, once. I am an only child and my parents both worked; we had a good life, until Dad lost his job and couldn't find another. His mood got darker and darker until Mum and I were walking on eggshells around him. Sometimes he'd flare up for no reason and accuse us of hating him, making him feel useless. Mum said he was worried about money and it wasn't personal, but it felt personal. Mum had to work longer hours and when she wasn't around I'd hide in my room because I was scared; I felt I didn't know Dad anymore. When Mum wasn't around, he would say terrible things to me… that it was my fault he'd lost his job, my fault he'd had to marry mum, my fault he was stuck in this no hope town. He called me terrible names, things that frightened me, but I didn't tell Mum - I was trying to protect him.

One evening I thought he'd gone out and the kitchen was a mess, so I started tidying for when Mum got in. I was in the middle of it when Dad came in, and he went mad. He told me I was trying to make him look bad. He started smashing plates and throwing things around and when I tried to get past him he grabbed me by the hair and hit me. I was so shocked I just stared at him, my cheek numb from the slap. It felt like every bit of me was numb. I could not believe what had happened. I went to my room and pushed a chair against the door in case he tried to come in. That night I told Mum what had happened. My face was visibly bruised, but she told me not to make a big thing of it, that Dad was stressed and this was a bad patch we had to get through.

I felt betrayed. I knew I couldn't stay there… I was too scared. I packed a bag and left the next day. Our cat tried to follow me along the street, and that was the worst… I felt like a traitor leaving her, but I had no choice. I went to my auntie's house and stayed there. Mum knew where I was. She came to see me, but she didn't ask me to come home. I felt like the bottom had fallen out of my life. On the fourth day my auntie told me that the doctor was worried about Dad's mental health. In the end, he had what Mum called a complete nervous breakdown and was taken into hospital. I don't visit and I haven't told my friends. I have a social worker looking out for me now. I'm back home again, but it's hard to trust Mum - she let me down when I needed her. When Dad comes out he will live in assisted housing for a while, and we are supposed to go to family therapy to try to work out how to repair our family. I am not sure we will ever do it. I love my parents, but I'm not sure I will ever trust either of them again.

All names have been changed. Picture posed by model Caitlin.

Cathy says:
This is such a heartbreaking story of a family crumbling under the strain of unemployment. Have YOU had to cope with the fallout from a parent's metal health issues? COMMENT BELOW to tell us more.

SUMMER & SUNGLASSES...

We asked for your fave sunglasses selfies… and we're loving the results!

Eilish says:
I LOVE these shades as they remind me of my dad! I don't live with my dad and just see him occasionally - when I do, we usually go on adventures! In the summer, we'd grab some fruit, jump in the car, chuck our shades down and just drive. Once we ended up wading through a river… I ended up sinking really deeply into this grey, gritty mud. It was like one of those very expensive spa mud bath treatments, only totally natural! My dad and I couldn't stop laughing! That - and the shades, of course - was one of the best memories of that summer. We went on so many adventures to so many beautiful places all over New Zealand… and in all of the photos we took, I'm wearing my cool shades!

Heather says:
Probably not the best picture, considering the unexpected flash of sun practically blinding me, but… what can I say? I love these sunglasses! I bought them last year on a trip to Poland. They were a quick buy but they are kind of snazzy and have a cool retro/ indie vibe which was probably why I was drawn to them in the first place. And now, whenever I wear them, I think of sunshine and happy times on that Polish trip...

Pippa says:
This is my sister Charlie wearing MY sunglasses… we had a pair each, originally. They are silver with pink-tinted lenses, but I think Charlie lost hers because she borrowed mine… she's always taking my stuff, haha! I don't mind because I got her to pose for some photos and we had a bit of a laugh… still, I think I'll have my sunnies back now, thank you!

Violet says:
This is my brother Toby wearing sunglasses for his prom last year. They're prescription sunglasses from Specsavers and the frames are called 'Toby' which is his name, so… yeah. He likes this picture because he looks like a special agent, but mostly his sunglasses pics are pretty miserable because he really hates summer. He has hayfever and doesn't like the heat and the light, and there is no chance of snow which is his favourite weather. Summer is a curse on his very soul...

Cathy says:
Are you enjoying the warmer weather? COMMENT BELOW to tell us why - or why not. Or email Cathy via the main website cathycassidy.com and send in YOUR sunglasses selfies!

MEGAN: BLOGGING IS CREATIVE - AND FUN!

Reader Megan started blogging six years ago… and now it's an integral part of her life! Find out why she loves it so much!

Megan says:
My blog is called Megan's Mega Blog and I started it six years ago because I loved crafting and wanted to share my creations with the world. My first post was a step-by-step tutorial on making a snowman Christmas tree decoration! That seems like a long time ago now! I've learned a lot in the last six years. These days, I make sure the pictures I use are either taken by me or drawn by me, and sometimes I change the blog's colour scheme to give things a fresh look. I plan to write more baking/ cooking posts, but I love doing art and fashion posts as well! I love the way that the blog is a kind of record of the last six years - and that I will be able to look through it in the future and see what I used to do in my spare time!

I think blogging has helped me as a writer because posting often has got me used to coming up with ideas quickly. I think it helps me to avoid writer's block, too! It has also helped me as a person by motivating me to do something creative when I have the chance, or to try something new… because I know I can then write a blog post about it! After school, I plan to be a fashion designer and ultimately I'd love to open my own high street shop. Blogging helps me to stay focused on this dream because I try to post on fashion design every now and them and describe my inspirations. Although I don't plan to be a writer as a career path, I do love the idea of starting up a small magazine with pages similar to my blog posts in it!

There are a few bloggers I really look up to… one is kenza365 who writes the 5starwriters and 5starartists blogs. They have a clear and consistent theme and Kenza is happy to discuss topics with her readers. I also love Cathy Cassidy's DREAMCATCHER blog - it's a great read for girls and has a good mixture of serious and fun posts. The final blog I love is NeverSeconds - a blog where school dinners are critiqued by a young girl! It's quite funny to see school meals reviewed by a student - plus her blog has had recognition from Jamie Oliver! My advice for people starting a blog is to upload often so that people come back, and don't be afraid to be personal and write about what matters to you, whether that is designing dresses or creating the perfect pizza for tea! Be original, and enjoy writing your posts because that will show in your work!

You can check out and follow Megan's fab blog here…  http://megansmegablog.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1 

Cathy says:
I love Megan's advice and the way she has made blogging a part of her life, a way to unite her various interests and share them with a wider audience! Would YOU consider starting a blog? COMMENT BELOW to say why - or why not!

SOPHIA: THE BEST OF ME...

Reader Sophia writes about the pressures facing young teens to be perfect…

Sophia says:
I used to strive to be like those people on the covers of the latest magazine, or in the latest movies; I thought I could show the best of me if only I could manage to look or act that way. I had unrealistic goals, and deep down I knew it. You know when everyone tells you that you should just be yourself, and you get that feeling for just a millisecond that maybe, just maybe, you are not so bad after all? But then of course our society shuts it all down with yet another advert for expensive make-up or designer-label clothes to make you look better than ever… and the stress starts up all over again.

Well, I finally worked it out. The best of me does not look like the model on the cover of a bestselling magazine, or the actress on a movie screen. The best of me is never going to happen when I have unrealistic ideas of what I should be. No, I am at my best when I am at peace with my flaws and imperfections. The best of me is not how I look, it's how I act. Any picture can be photoshopped, but who I really am cannot.

So today, I strive to be the best person I can in the way I do things in my life and for the people around me. Even though I know our world's perspective will never change no matter how hard I try or how much I need it to, I will pick up the broken pieces of our world in order to show people that the best of someone is NOT on the outside.

Cathy says:
Wow… I love Sophia's post. It's so heartfelt and so full of good sense… I totally agree that true beauty - the 'best of you' - is on the inside. Do YOU ever feel pressured by TV, magazines and movies to be impossibly perfect? COMMENT BELOW to have your say...