Alchemy - Margaret Mahy

Alchemy is a very interesting book - it starts off as a typical teenage book set in school but then transforms into a very unusual tale of magic, transformation, perception of the world. Cleverly done and good characterisation.

A boy is accused of shoplifting and to get off he must spy on one of the others students - a nerd, with a secret.

Well worth a read - not long, and quick to read, but worth the effort.