Description
A page-turning and immersive YA novel in verse, telling the story of Lily who is mercilessly bullied at school and who turns to boxing in an attempt to fight back; a story of hope and resilience breaking through even the most difficult situations.
Lily turns sixteen with two very different sides to her life: school, where she is badly bullied, and home with her mum and dad, warm and comforting but with its own difficulties.
After a particularly terrible bullying incident, Lily's dad determines to give his daughter the tools to fight back.
Introducing her to boxing, he encourages Lily to find her own worth. It is both difficult and challenging but in confronting her own fears she finds a way through that illuminates her life and friendships.
Meeting Rose, and seeing that there is another world out there, enables her to live her own life fully and gives her the knowledge that she is both beautiful and worth it.
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'Stunning ... Gloves Off punches in the guts' - Nicola Morgan, author of Blame My Brain
NOMINATED FOR THE CARNEGIE MEDAL
Shortlisted for the Bristol Teen Book Award
Shortlisted for the Hounslow and Ealing Teen Read
Shortlisted for the Warwickshire Secondary Book Award
Longlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2021
A page-turning and immersive YA novel in verse, telling the story of Lily who is mercilessly bullied at school and who turns to boxing in an attempt to fight back; a story of hope and resilience breaking through even the most difficult situations.
About the Author
Louisa Reid has spent most of her life reading. And when she's not doing that she's writing stories, or imagining writing them at least. An English teacher, her favourite part of the job is sharing her love of reading and writing with her pupils. Louisa lives with her family in the north-west of England and is proud to call a place near Manchester home.
Reviews
A skilful novel in blank verse...written with feeling, honesty and conviction, this is a story about body image and self-esteem that packs a knock-out punch * Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week *
However hard she tries to fit in, Lily is constantly bullied and even beaten up because of her weight. But when her dad hangs up a punch bag for her, she begins, gradually, to discover her own strength, until eventually she stops trying to hide, and starts trying to win. Gloves Off is an intense, original and profoundly moving verse novel, filled with the fierce, hard joy of finding your power. * Guardian *
Reid tackles self-image, bullying and mother/daughter relationships in a way that will have you aching to finish the story. Reminiscent of Sarah Crossan and Jason Reynolds, this novel is a stunning achievement * Charlotte Eyre, The Bookseller *
A beautiful, lyrical read. Buy it for your daughters - and your sons. * The Sun *
Gloves Off will have you cheering Lily on as she finally stands up for herself and finds her own way. Beautifully written. * Teri Terry, author of the Slated trilogy *
Stunning ... Gloves Off punches in the guts * Nicola Morgan, author of Blame My Brain *
An intense, original and profoundly moving verse novel, filled with the fierce, hard joy of finding your power * Guardian *
Pride in your body, courage and self-belief - this is a knock-out. * The I paper *
Beautiful, brave and inspiring, Lil's story will have you weeping one moment and cheering her on the next. I loved it. * Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal *
Gloves Off will undoubtedly be one of the top UKYA books of the year * Lucas Maxwell *
Book Information
ISBN 9781913101862
Author Louisa Reid
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Guppy Publishing Ltd
Publisher Guppy Publishing Ltd
Weight(grams) 280g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 270mm
