Description

Children’s Book Council: Spring 2024 Showcase: Reading List: Transformation

Annie’s family is made of love.

When her moms open up their bookshop in the mornings, there is always a mysterious pile of books on the counter. By evening, every book has found its ideal reader. But one day there is a book that doesn’t get bought. It has to lie there all on its own. Who can its reader be, and why don’t they come?

Days pass, and the book with no owner gets lonelier and lonelier. The bookshop is unhappy, and the moms are worried that the shop isn’t making enough money.

Then someone starts borrowing the book. Eventually, we realise it’s Annie’s sibling Charlotte – and it is a book about being non-binary. Mum explains what ‘non-binary’ means to Annie. Charlotte asks to be called Charlie and says that their pronouns are they/them.

The bookshop cheers up. Customers start buying books again.

This family is made of love.

Publisher Review

"This brave, kind novel in verse explores gender identity in an original way." -- Sarah Webb * Irish Independent * "There is much for every reader to enjoy in this celebration of the wonders of bookshops and family love." * The Echo * "What a tender jewel of a book ... The Lonely Book was a balm and a blessing." * Deirdre Sullivan, author of Savage Her Reply * "A beautifully immersive, magical and timely tale of family, gender identity - and the importance of a good book! I binged Meg Grehan's The Lonely Book in one sitting, it's the perfect warm and love-filled escape for bookworms of all ages, especially those who've always believed in the magic of bookstores." * Aislinn O'Loughlin, author of Big Bad Me * "By emphasizing the ways in which books and bookstores serve as safe spaces, the importance of open and honest communication in relationships, and the power of unconditional love, Grehan offers a wholesome and affirming story suffused with warmth and populated by a supportive and compassionate cast. " -- Publishers Weekly, Starred Review "I love this. I adore the language, the idea ... I'm definitely going to be recommending this one highly!" * Read and Reviewed * "Simply breathtaking." * Karla Bookish Life, 5 star review * "Grehan's writing style is lovely ... I also deeply enjoyed the magical element of the story and how it emphasized how meaningful and even life-changing the right book can be for a person." -- Queer Big Foot 'I absolutely loved this one. All of Meg Grehan's books for young readers feel like a warm hug. They are lovely and compassionate tales that aim to include and empower young readers. I loved the subtle magic of the bookshop and the main character's journey in supporting their sibling. Also love to see books in a two-mom household that mirror my future household. Will be recommending this one far and wide!' * NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review * 'They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but I was immediately drawn in when I saw the cover of The Lonely Book on NetGalley! It is such a sweet cover and it immediately conveys how warm and cozy the story inside is. I was also excited to see another book by Meg Grehan! I read one of her YA books, Baby Teeth, at the beginning of the year, and I adored it.' * NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review * Praise for The Deepest Breath "Powerful in its simplicity ... A fierce reminder of the need for books that show readers of all kinds of love, as well as being this kind of book itself." * The Irish Times * Praise for The Deepest Breath 'So utterly real ... Amazing to think it's only Grehan's second book.' * The Irish Independent * Praise for Baby Teeth "Grehan's verse novel skilfully charts uncertainty, temptation and the course of a strange, desperate love." * The Guardian * Praise for The Deepest Breath "Small in scope and big in heart and feeling, this novel is a tender portrait of gay early adolescence and a strong mother-daughter attachment." * Publishers Weekly * Praise for Baby Teeth "Grehan evocatively conjures Immy's tragic sense of isolation and hard-won self-acceptance." * Financial Times * Praise for Baby Teeth "Emotionally rich and gloriously queer." * Kirkus, starred review *