by Gill Lewis
 
"Somehow everything changed at secondary school. I had felt so angry and sad- all mixed up. But people only saw me angry. I wouldn't let them see me cry". Excluded from school, Dylan and his mum have to relocate to live with Grandad in rural Wales. Here, Dylan slowly heals and reconnects with himself through the balm of his new environment and with Grandad's guiding hand.

An "outstanding novella" ('The Bookseller' 2021) which explores a wide range of issues*. For us, we especially welcome the ways the narrative centres boys and men breaking free of gender stereotypes and learning new, 'healthy' ways of expressing their painful feelings, from Grandad's grief ("Back then, men weren't mean to show feelings") to Dylan's pent up anger. From the author who won a Little Rebels Award Special Commendation in 2018. (*Animal welfare, grief, threat to rural life, family break-up). "I loved this book- beautifully written and a real range of themes explored: child/adolescent mental health; grief and loss; rupture and repair in relationships" (Hannah, young Letterbox Library reviewer). Age 8-12, Paperback 119pp
 
Themes: Gender Equality   Themes: Diverse Families