COSMOPOLITAN'S BEST NEW BOOKS OUT IN JUNE 2023

'Funny, direct ... and romantic' - The Guardian
'Compelling and insightful' - Glamour
'Whip-smart' - Irish Independent

'Come along with me on this sh!tty ride or bail out now. It's your choice . . .'

When Freya collapses and wakes up with a temporary ileostomy bag on her stomach, her dreams of the perfect summer go down the toilet. Instead of partying in the Algarve, she's packed off to 'Poo Camp' - a place for kids with bowel disease to 'bond'.

And things can only get worse. Someone has started calling her 'Sh!t Bag' . . . and it's catching on.

Freya decides to live up to the nickname, raging at her friends, her ex and the world. Only her campmate Chris seems to see past her new attitude . . .

Can Freya get her sh!t together or will she end up with just her bag by her side?

A fresh, fierce and funny story about what happens when life literally goes to sh!t.

About the Author
SH!T BAG is based on Xena Knox's own experiences with acute ulcerative colitis - juggling life-with-an-ostomy while studying and dating. She lives between London and her arable farm in Scotland with her husband; an unruly girl-gang of black devil sheep, Shetland ponies and Thoroughbreds; and a field of 5,000 dreamy peonies.

Reviews
'Funny, direct, real-feeling and romantic, this superb YA debut conveys the reality of managing life with an ostomy' * The Guardian *
*THE BEST NEW BOOKS OUT IN JUNE 2023* * Cosmopolitan *
'What could have been another "issues" book is elevated by Knox's writing and her whip-smart and honest main character. A funny and charming read' * Irish Independent *
'A compelling and insightful read that sheds a brilliant light on hugely important topics' * Glamour *
'This bold, brilliantly funny book is the best YA novel I've read this year. Xena Knox is one to watch!' * Cat Clarke, author of Girlhood *
'A must read! With disability representation and written from Xena's own experience, it's full of sass, humour, embarrassing moments and something all teens will love. Xena's characters feel SO real, you'll be hooked from the first page' * A. M. Dassu, author of Boy, Everywhere *
'What an incredible read! Freya is feisty & unfiltered - and now she has an ileostomy bag & is furious. This unflinching story of disgust, humiliation and hard-won wins educated me in the most entertaining of ways ... Highly recommend' * Sue Wallman, author of Lying About Last Summer *
A sharp, funny book that addresses a hidden issue * The School Librarian *



Book Information
ISBN 9781444972054
Author Xena Knox
Format Paperback
Page Count 304
Imprint Hodder Children's Books
Publisher Hachette Children's Group
Weight(grams) 216g
Dimensions(mm) 196mm * 128mm * 26mm