The heartwarming new novel from the sparkling Laura Dockrill, introducing Bluebelle, and her moving, hilarious take on food, body image and how we look after ourselves and others.

It's a food diary. I have to tell the truth. That's the point.

Bluebelle, aka BB, aka Big Bones - is a sixteen-year-old girl encouraged to tackle her weight even though she's perfectly happy, thank you, and getting on with her life and in love with food.

Then a tragedy in the family forces BB to find a new relationship with her body and herself. . .

Tuck in for best mates, belly laughs, boys and the best Bakewell tart.

-----

Love for BIG BONES

'Big Bones is the book I wish I'd had as a teenager and Bluebelle is a friend I wish I had today. Laura has written a beautiful love letter to some of the most important things in life: friends, family and food.' Linsdey Kelk

'Stuffed with lashings of laugh-out-loud loveliness (just wait until you read about Bum Tills...), relatable real-life truths and love in all its complicated, dizzying forms (food-love, friend-love, sisterly-love, boy-love, self-love), this is, quite simply, the best YA book about self-esteem and body image I've ever read' Lovereading

The latest teen novel from the sparkling Laura Dockrill, introducing Bluebelle, and her moving, hilarious take on food, body image and how we look after ourselves and others. Nominated for the CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL 2019.

About the Author

Laura Dockrill is a performance poet and novelist whose wonderfully inventive and vibrant approach to life is reflected in the rich and vividly imagined worlds she creates. Laura grew up in Brixton and attended the Brit School. Laura has always had a vivacious spark, finding creativity in words - from poetry to novels and scripts to song lyrics. She is author of the Carnegie Medal nominated YA novel Lorali, as well as the Darcy Burdock series (Random House) for younger readers, which was also nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in 2014. Other books include Echoes (Harper Collins), a collection of poems and short stories. Laura has appeared on Blue Peter and CBeebies and is a frequent poet performer at festivals including Glastonbury, Hay, Edinburgh, London Literary Festival and Latitude.

Children's books are at the heart of her work. She curated The Wondercrump World of Roald Dahl exhibition at the Southbank Centre and loves to visit schools and festivals and meet young readers who are as spirited as her. Laura lives in London and is currently working on her new teen novel, a play and a poetry collection. You can follow her on Twitter @LauraDockrill.

Reviews
Laura Dockrill is a very talented writer -- Mhairi McFarlane
Big Bones is the book I wish I'd had as a teenager and Bluebelle is a friend I wish I had today. Laura has written a beautiful love letter to some of the most important things in life: friends, family and food. -- Lindsey Kelk
A celebration of food sisterly love and what it means to be teen today, Big Bones had me laughing out loud * The Sun *
I loved this character so much, she is a total breath of fresh air, an inspiration and we could all do with taking a lesson from her. I recommend this for every single person * Edel's Book Blog *
As energising as a super food salad, as satisfying and nourishing as your favourite home-cooked meal, this delectable novel about feeling comfortable in your own skin has been prepared with sisterly love and comes served on a bed of inspiration. Stuffed with lashings of laugh-out-loud loveliness (just wait until you read about Bum Tills...), relatable real-life truths and love in all its complicated, dizzying forms (food-love, friend-love, sisterly-love, boy-love, self-love), this is, quite simply, the best YA book about self-esteem and body image I've ever read * Lovereading *
this book is a real lesson in loving yourself and ignoring what people thing! BB's confidence is inspiring! * Shout Magazine *
It was so deeply refreshing to read about a young woman who had utter confidence in how she looked, seeing sexy in muffin tops and belly rolls. It shows how ingrained it is, for me at least, to be in a space where we expect young women to hate how they look, as I found myself continually having my head pulled up but this novel surprise. Bluebelle is a pleasure to spend time with, and the story of her family, the navigation of the 'from child to adult' years, and be relationship with food are all equally absorbing. Pull up a seat at her table and tuck in! * Dogeared Reads *
Laura Dockrill has such a unique writing style and her poetic freshness is a joy to behold. One second, you are laughing big belly laughs at her turn of phrase, and the next, you are crying There is so much food for thought in Big Bones, making it a book for teenagers to savour, and, above all, enjoy. Adult readers may wish they'd had the book to accompany them when they were teenagers, too * Booktrust *
Big Bones is a book with a big heart * The Skinny *
First of all, I LOVED the body positivity in Big Bones. It's a topic that I feel isn't addressed enough in YA fiction and it should be. Why shouldn't we all learn to love our bodies? Bluebelle's admiration for her own body was inspirational - young girls will read this book and hopefully realise that they don't need to be stick thin to be beautiful. Granted, BB was a fictional character but in my mind she is a beautiful young woman. Big Bones was an entertaining read and shows you the importance of loving yourself, looking out for family and friends and finding out what really matters. It's a book that helps bring out body positivity in a unique way and the character of BB will certainly stick with me for a long time * Amy's Bookish Life *
An excellent story celebrating food and health and body positivity from the witty and relatable Bluebelle * Emily Jade Books *
Overall, this is a great read... great for all young adults, yet also for people of all ages who just love food. The body positivity messages which stem from this book are simple: love your body, treat it well and feed it well * Romantics, Rebels and Reviews *
Dockrill, who is also known for her performance poetry, captures the cadences of contemporary teenage life brilliantly * Irish Times *
this book touched me in a way that I wasn't expecting. Don't let the light hearted cover fool you, this book will hit you hard. But I'm so glad that I read it, there is an overwhelmingly body positive message spread by Dockrill's novel which I think is important for many to read * Yorkshire Post *
As energising as a superfood salad, as satisfying and nourishing as your favourite home-cooked meal, this delectable novel about feeling comfortable in your own skin has been prepared with sisterly love and comes served on a bed of inspiration * LoveReading 4 Kids *
This book's message- about not only being yourself but about the importance of being comfortable in your own skin and knowing your own worth- is one that, as a feminist and a young woman myself, I strongly feel that every young girl needs to hear in a world increasingly dominated and torn apart by Photoshop, Instagram filters, eating disorders, self doubt and self hatred. Everyone should be a little kinder to themselves, and a little more BB. Take my advice, and read this book not only for its empowering message, but also for its humour and its heart * The Fairy Dust Book Blog *
A love song to food and the acceptance of your own body . . . Moving and hilarious -- Beth Goodyear * The Scotsman *
Glorious... a paean to feasting, family and good care of the self... Irresistibly hilarious and original, it shows Dockrill's enormous rhapsodic charm * The Guardian *
A love song to food and the acceptance of your own body... Moving and hilarious * The Scotsman *
Laura's writing is fabulous, it flows well, is beautifully descriptive - even foods I don't like/haven't tried I wanted to - and so so funny! * Bulletproof Scarecrow *
I loved this book from beginning to end. I wish I'd had it to read as a teenager because Bluebelle would have been my absolute hero. This book was fun to read from beginning to end, I cared deeply about every character and I loved feeling like part of Bluebelle's family for a short while. I would recommend this book to anyone who has been a teenager concerned about their body (so probably most people!). Bluebelle's confidence is infectious and inspiring * Cosy Reading Nest *
Teens will love BB's authentic, frank, funny tone, and inspirational levels of self-confidence, self-love, and self awareness. Young adults will love the no-shame approach, immersive narrative, and real, honest feel. Parents will love the related struggle of BB's mother who feels responsible for her daughter's weight, health and emotional wellbeing * Happiful Magazine *
A body-positive book for the next generation, Big Bones follows Bluebelle, aka Big Bones, aka BB. A bold, beautiful, confident girl who accepts herself for who she is - wobbly bits and all - Dockrill's most recent novel presents teens with an inspiring young woman we all wish we had been * Happiful Online *
I love how 'Big Bones' took me on this journey of self-reflection while also providing a very honest and refreshingly real story to read. Y'all should also pick it up. Plus, it gets bonus points for being SO BEAUTIFUL to take photos of. * The Copper Boom *
Bluebell is extremely confident (something i wasn't) and she adores herself, which is great to read. However there are comments to her being wary people are looking at her and judging her and a little bit of paranoia. That was a really great touch that normalizes those thoughts but also shows that you can be confident and happy with yourself * The LIttle Contemporary Corner *
BB's devil may care attitude and all round swag made her a bonefide girl crush character for me. She could teach us all a few tricks on upping our body confidence * The Book Geek Boutique *
I would recommend picking this up and giving it a chance to grow on you if you're looking for something that really celebrates food and bodies, being a girl and growing up * Scriven Books *
I honestly loved reading this book. It feels like a real lesson on self love and you feel like BB is really a part of your life for that short time. It was sad, happy, enlightening and heartwarming to read and I wish that I had read it when I was younger * Max and Mummy *
Such a hilarious and thought provoking read, with the most amazing descriptions of food that I've ever read. It's a great contribution to the discussion on body image and body positivity, and I highly recommend giving it a read * Julia's Bookcase *
Beneath the humour and bravado there's a lot for readers to think about, and valuable cues for discussions about self-esteem, body image and differing societal expectations for girls and boys * Armadillo Magazine *
Big Bones is a fun filled novel about body image, delicious food and the 21st century lifestyle of a teen. It has the perfect amount of body positivity and self-worth * Library Looter *
Brilliant and funny and delicious. I loved it -- Jade Anouka * Big Issue *
I loved Big Bones because of the message it had to say about body positivity and being true to yourself. It made me laugh a lot. If you do read this be prepared to read with snacks because every page will make you hungry * The Overflowing Library *
An awesome read * Teen Titles *



Book Information
ISBN 9781471406928
Author Laura Dockrill
Format Paperback
Page Count 400
Imprint Hot Key Books
Publisher Hot Key Books
Weight(grams) 292g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 22mm