Publication Date: 05/09/2019 ISBN: 9781788542333 Category:

Snowflake, AZ

Marcus Sedgwick

Publisher: Head of Zeus
Publication Date: 05/09/2019 ISBN: 9781788542333 Category:
Hardback

£12.99

Out of stock

Description

A timely, contemporary novel challenging ideas around health – our own and our planet’s – and the stigma that persists around illness, by Printz Medallist and internationally bestselling novelist, Marcus Sedgwick.

Ash has lived in eight states in as many years. Mom has gone walkabout, but stepdad Jack is like a father, and stepbrother Bly the best anyone could wish for. When Bly goes missing too, Ash sets off to search for him – and finds something much bigger: the sickness of the world.

Arriving in Snowflake, Arizona, Ash discovers Bly living with a community 6000 feet high in the wide red desert. They call themselves the Canaries and all suffer from some kind of environmental illness. They are ostracised by modern society, as it continues to ignore climate change, global warming and so much more of our self-inflicted poisoning of the planet. When Ash takes ill, the doctor’s response is, ‘it’s all in your mind’. In a story spanning seven years with triumphs and tragedies, Ash learns how to live as the world is pushed to a point of no return. This humane and deeply thoughtful novel is about resilience, trust, family and love.

Publisher Review

'Not only a refreshing and entertaining twist on a familiar genre, it is also (and perhaps more importantly) a thought-provoking exploration of the past, present and future of humans relative to the natural world' Shelf Awareness. 'Deliberately paced with many fascinating by-roads, this is a thoughtful read for readers curious about the future health of our planet' Children's Books Ireland. 'This raw, deeply philosophical tale leaves readers with a timely, sobering message about how humankind's treatment of the environment impacts the environment's treatment of humankind' Publishers Weekly, Starred review. 'An ominous, relevant, and uniquely compelling read' Kirkus starred review. 'Young people currently involved in the Climate Change Protest and the Extinction Rebellion will find plenty to interest them here' Books for Keeps. 'A powerful, timely, coming-of-age story' LoveReading4Schools. 'Marcus Sedgwick is a YA writer with a glowing pedigree ... [Snowflake, AZ] deals with that vague, though genuinely debilitating illness: allergy to the moden world, taking inspiration from Sedgwick's own diagnosis of ME' Financial Times.

Book experts at your service

What are you looking for?

A recommendation
Something specific
  • Mr B's Recommendation Station
  • Fill in the three questions below, along with your name and email address, and our book experts will be in touch soon with their personal recommendations

  • I'm after something specific
  • Tell us about the book, author or subject you're looking for, along with your name and email address and our book experts will be in touch as soon as possible