Description
Winner of the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2013, KETCHUP CLOUDS tells the story of one teenage girl with a very big secret.
Fifteen-year-old Zoe has a secret - a dark and terrible secret that she can't confess to anyone she knows. But then one day she hears of a criminal, Stuart Harris, locked up on death row in Texas. Like Zoe, Stuart is no stranger to secrets. Or lies. Or murder.
Full of both heartache and humour, Zoe tells her story in the only way she can - in letters to the man in prison in America. Armed with a pen, Zoe takes a deep breath, eats a jam sandwich, and begins her tale of love and betrayal.
Secrets, romance, murder and lies: Zoe shares a terrible secret in a letter to a stranger on death row in this prize-winning second novel from the bestselling author of the debut, MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE.
About the Author
Annabel graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English Literature and an ambition to be a children's author. She had a variety of jobs before deciding to travel the world and focus on writing. Annabel now lives in Yorkshire with her husband and two young sons. Her first book, MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE, won the Branford Boase and a Betty Trask Award in 2012 and KETCHUP CLOUDS won the 2014 Waterstones Children's Prize. Annabel's work has been shortlisted for numerous prestigious awards including the Dylan Thomas Prize, the Galaxy British Book Award and the Red House Children's Book Award and longlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and the 2012 CILIP Carnegie Medal. Visit Annabel's website at www.annabelpitcher.com and follow her on Twitter @APitcherAuthor.
Reviews
It's a moving and ultimately highly compassionate tale. To be human is to err, after all. * Martin Chilton, THE TELEGRAPH *
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for an invigorating, coming-of-age book. The young adult category can often come off as whiney and "woe is me" but this book proves that that is not always the case, even when the main character does have a lot to whine about. There are good authors of every genre if you just know where to look and Annabel Pitcher is one of them. * THE GUARDIAN *
Annabel Pitcher presents a harrowing tale of a girl learning to deal with love, family, remorse and grief. Through a mixture of her hilarious, sweet and honest confessions, Zoe comes to life on the page. * TEENREADS *
Blending powerful emotion and darkness with ironic humour, it is a gripping and moving story about secrets, lies and growing up. Sometimes uncomfortable, sometimes wistful, often funny and always compassionate, this is a beautifully-crafted and unexpected coming-of-age story that will win readers' hearts. * BOOKTRUST *
This is a clever, multi-layered book. It's heartstoppingly sweet, very sad, and very, very real. Everyone should take notes on how to write a love story from this gorgeous novel because I believed every word. And, of course, I cried.
Highly recommended.
Awards
Winner of Edgar Allan Poe Award 2014 (UK) and Leeds Book Awards 2014 (UK). Short-listed for The BASH Award 2014 (UK) and Lancashire School Library Service Fantastic Book Award 2014 (UK) and Oxfordshire Children's Book Award 2015 (UK). Long-listed for Carnegie Medal 2014 (UK) and UKLA Children's Book Award 2014 (UK).
Book Information
ISBN 9781780620312
Author Annabel Pitcher
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint Orion Children's Books
Publisher Hachette Children's Group
Weight(grams) 280g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 126mm * 30mm
