Sugar and Spice

Sugar and Spice is a novel published in 2005 by Jean Ure.

Synopsis
12 year old Ruth Spicer hates her new school, Parkfield High. Everyone's in gangs, which she hates the idea of, meaning she's grown apart from her old friends. She gets called a geek or a nerd by the bullies in her class, and resolves not to do well with her schoolwork. That is, until new girl Shayanne Sugar joins her class. She's everything Ruth isn't, and Ruth is surprised that Shay wants to be friends! But is Shay everything she seems?

Children

 * Ruth Spicer - The main and one of two titular characters of the book. She is 12 years old and is the eldest of four children. Ruth is a timid, but kind and smart girl. Shw wants to be a doctors when she grows up and leaves school. She is saddened at her growing apart from her old friends, and due to bullying decides not to pursue her dream and instead settle for working in Tesco like her mother. She later gets better with the help of Shay.


 * Lisa Spicer - The 9 year old sister of Ruth. She likes dancing, and often has a cold due to having a weak chest. She hates her teacher, Mrs. Henson, who Ruth liked what she was in the juniors.


 * Kez Spicer - The 6 year old sister of Ruth. She hates burnt toast. She likes climbing onto Ruth's lap for a cuddle.


 * Sammy Spicer - The four year old brother of Ruth. He can be annoying towards Ruth.


 * Shayanne Sugar - One of the two titular characters of the book. She is 12 years old and pretty, liking fashion and makeup. She is overall a kind person, but can be pushy and loud, which contrasts Ruth's quietness and timidity. She hates to see Ruth doing badly, and shows Ruth not to allow the bullies to bring her down and to work hard to get good marks in lessons (which she easily can).


 * Julia Bone and Jenice Berry - Two girls in Ruth and Shay's class. They are nicknamed the Two J's by Ruth. They are bullies, making horrible remarks to and about Ruth whenever they can. Ruth finally had enough of them, when they mocked her having to wear wellies to school because of it raining her shoes leaking, and shouted at them, and they backed off somewhat.


 * Brett Thomas - A boy in Ruth and Shay's class. He is very tall for his age, which makes him look older than 12. He is loud mouthed and a bully. He is shocked at Shay standing up to him and backed off. He is annoyed by Julia and Jenice, two other girls in their class, shouting at them to knock it off.


 * Millie - Ruth's former best friend. She is 12 years old and black skinned. Ruth mentioned she hangs about in a gang of black girls, who all act like if you aren't black you aren't worth knowing at all. Millie is more willing to follow what everyone else does to avoid conflict, and thinks Ruth is foolish for not "adapting".


 * Mariam - The other former friend of Ruth. She is 12 years old and Asian. She is a sweet gentle, but timid girl. She mentioned outside of school to Ruth that she only joined a gang because they'd threatened her. She got bullied too, and was later sent to live with her auntie so she could go to a new school.


 * Varya - A girl in Ruth's class who Ruth later becomes friends with. She is 12 years old and is likely of Asian decent. She is quiet due to her English not being good, but later improves with Ruth's help.

Adults

 * Mr. Spicer - The father of Ruth, Lisa, Kez and Sammy. He is a kind and caring person, and loves his children very much. He was horrified at Ruth being pulled into Shay's antics, but felt bad for Shay. He has emphysema, and is unable to do much due to it.


 * Mrs. Spicer - The mother of Ruth, Lisa, Kez and Sammy. She loves her children but gets annoyed at Ruth frequently. She becomes better later on, realising she's been expecting too much of Ruth, and makes more effort to be there for her.


 * Mrs. Sugar - The mother of Shay. She is nicknamed The Vampire by Shay due to her pale complexion, dark makeup and all black clothing. She is polite towards Ruth, but doesn't really notice Shay, being too wrapped up in her own life. It is implied this why Shay acts up.


 * Mr. Sugar - The father of Shay. He is nicknamed The Invisible Man by Shay because he always wears dark sunglasses and a suit like it. He doesn't really notice Shay, being too wrapped up in his own life, which is why Shay acts up.


 * Mr. Kirk - The English Teacher at Parkfield High. He is strict, but kind. He thinks Ruth is smart, and chooses her work to read out because it's good.


 * Mrs. Winslow - The biology teacher of Parkfield High.


 * Mr. Abrahams - The French teacher of Parkfield High.


 * Mrs. Saeed - The maths teacher of Parkfield High.