Goose by Dawn O’Porter

It’s a year and a half on from Paper Aeroplanes, and Renée is now living with her Aunty Jo. They even have geese, and Renée likes to sit and watch them, wondering if she’ll ever find ‘the One’ – someone who will love her no matter what, and be there for her no matter how bad things get.

She and Flo are in their final year at school, and they’ve got some tough choices to make – like will they go to university? And if so where – and will they go together? Renée’s usual ambivalence on the matter shocks Flo, who had assumed they’d continue as they were, the best and closest of friends, forever. She feels as though she needs Renée’s support more than ever, so when a handsome young boy enters Flo’s life, she finds herself powerfully drawn to his kindness, and his faith.

Renée and Flo’s friendship will soon be tested in a way neither of them could have expected.

UKYA Books of the Year 2013: Part 1

It’s that time of year again…we’re asking writers, bloggers and other bookish people to pick their UKYA books of the year.  Starting today with picks from awesome UKYA authors Lee Weatherly, Zoe Marriott, James Dawson and Rhian Ivory.  Feel free to add your picks of the year in the comments.

More tomorrow!

Geek Girl by Holly Smale. Picked by Lee Weatherly, author of the Angel trilogy: ‘ I really loved it; thought it was SO funny.’  Good news for other Geek Girl fans –  and there are many-  Holly has been signed for three more Geek Girl books.

 

 

 

Shadows by Robin McKinley. Picked by Zoe Marriott, author of the Name of the Blade trilogy: ‘Shadows shows exactly why the author is a legend. Her magical world – almost but not quite like the real one – is so multi-textured and well-grounded that it was a surprise everytime I put it down and realised I didn’t live there myself. And anyone who has ever been oppressed by the supreme delight of McKinley’s animal characters will also find much to love in Shadows’.

 

 

 

Tinder by Sally Gardner. Picked by James Dawson, author of  Cruel Summer: ‘ A scary, evocative gothic fairytale.’

 

 

 

James also picked Dawn O’Porter’s Paper Aeroplanes: ‘A gritty but hilarious coming-of-age friendship story.

 

 

 

The Bone Dragon by Alexia Casale, picked by Rhian Ivory, author of The Bad Girls Club (as Rhian Tracey) : ‘Beautifully written, dealing with a very sensitive subject matter in an innovative and believable manner.’

Paper Aeroplanes by Dawn O’Porter

I just can’t imagine me without you…

It’s the mid-1990s, and fifteen year-old Guernsey schoolgirls, Renée and Flo, are not really meant to be friends. Thoughtful, introspective and studious Flo couldn’t be more different to ambitious, extroverted and sexually curious Renée.But Renée and Flo are united by loneliness and their dysfunctional families, and an intense bond is formed.

Although there are obstacles to their friendship (namely Flo’s jealous ex-best friend and Renée’s growing infatuation with Flo’s brother), fifteen is an age where anything can happen, where life stretches out before you, and when every betrayal feels like the end of the world. For Renée and Flo it is the time of their lives.