The great ice-cream heist by Elen Caldecott

Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN: 9781408820506.
Family, friendship and stereotyping, are all touched on in this adventure which also features an exciting chase complete with an ice-cream van, a dog and a kidnapped social worker.
Eva and her Dad live a quiet life especially since Eva's mum died and Dad has become super over protective. Her Gran decides Eva needs to mix more with children her own age and volunteers her to help the local youth group create a new drop in Centre. Here she meets a variety of helpers especially Jaimie McIntyre from next door.
Jamie's family is large, loud and live a seemingly chaotic life, certainly different from Eva's. 'The McIntyres are nothing but trouble' according to her father, and Jamie is at the youth centre against his wishes but at the behest of his social worker Mel. Eva had often seen Jamie on the garage roof and enjoys his company despite the attitude of the other volunteers.
When the youth centre is vandalised Jamie is the first accused. Eva is sure he didn't do it and whilst she sticks up for him he disappears. Eva seems to be the only one who believes in him. She goes to great lengths to find him, prove his innocence and rescue him from Child Protection, even though it means enlisting help of the other youth centre volunteers, disobeying her father and taking risks resulting in the great chase.
The problems Eva has with her schooling due to dyslexia will resonate with students struggling with the same problem. The conflict between Gran and Dad over allowing Eva to take risks is also an area explored in the book and gives an insight as to how some parents perceive the world.
Sue Keane