A wonderful rites-of-passage story from critically acclaimed author, Keith Gray.
Keith was born and brought up in Grimsby and knew from an early age that he wanted to be a writer. When he received 0% for his accountancy exams he decided to pursue his dream. Since then, he has gone on to win the Angus Book Award and the silver medal in the Smarties Prize. He has twice been shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Prize and was shortlisted for the Booktrust Teen Prize and the Scottish Arts Council Book Award. Rave reviews about his writing have appeared in every broadsheet. Keith was a judge for the Blue Peter Book Award, the Guardian Fiction Prize and the Bookstrust Teen Prize and reviews regularly for the Guardian. Keith is now a full-time writer living in Edinburgh.
One of the highlights of the year . . . Reminiscent of On the Road
and Catcher in the Rye, this is a seminal book about modern youth .
. . Pertinent and profound work, instantly worthy of the label
"modern classic"
*The Bookseller*
Gray, with excellent timing, keeps the plot light and humourous,
despite dealing with suicide, loss of friendship and bullying
*Daily Telegraph*
A gripping tale of loss, guilt, revenge and redemption and contains
touches of gallows humour that will be of particular appeal to the
teen audience. Gray has managed to mainatin the high standard of
his previous work and while this text does not alienate teenage
girls. It will be of particular appeal to teenage boys
*The School Librarian*
An exceptionally involving and affecting novel
*Books for Keeps*
Funny, page-turning and profound
*The Sunday Times*
Gr 8 Up-When Ross was alive, he talked about creating great stories by living life to the fullest. He did not get to live his life very fully, but his dreams were big. One was to travel to his "namesake"-Ross, Scotland. After his funeral, which his best friends Kenny, Blake, and Sim deem unworthy of him, the three teens decide to kidnap his ashes and take them on a road trip from northern England to the small Scottish town. The boys are grieving and trying to honor their friend's memory, but things go increasingly wrong on the two-day trip and instead of turning around and calling for help, they keep moving forward, ignoring all sense, making bad moves at every turn. Although it concerns death and grief, the story is never heavy-handed; Gray offers plenty of humor and grace. Understanding of the boys grows with the story; they come to know themselves better, as readers do. Gray's writing is cheeky, crisp, and realistic. He has created funny, bright characters whom readers cannot help but root for. They act impulsively, but their actions come from the heart. At the end of their trip and of the book, things are not tied up neatly, but resolution is hinted at. This is a smart, touching novel with an ending that packs an emotional wallop.-Geri Diorio, The Ridgefield Library, CT Copyright 2010 Reed Business Information.
One of the highlights of the year . . . Reminiscent of On the Road
and Catcher in the Rye, this is a seminal book about modern youth .
. . Pertinent and profound work, instantly worthy of the label
"modern classic" -- Jake Hope * The Bookseller *
Gray, with excellent timing, keeps the plot light and humourous,
despite dealing with suicide, loss of friendship and bullying *
Daily Telegraph *
A gripping tale of loss, guilt, revenge and redemption and contains
touches of gallows humour that will be of particular appeal to the
teen audience. Gray has managed to mainatin the high standard of
his previous work and while this text does not alienate teenage
girls. It will be of particular appeal to teenage boys * The School
Librarian *
An exceptionally involving and affecting novel * Books for Keeps
*
Funny, page-turning and profound -- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday
Times *
|
Ask a Question About this Product More... |
|
