Description
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.
About the Author
Meg Grehan is originally from County Louth but now hiding away in County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland, with a very ginger girlfriend, an even more ginger dog and an undisclosed number of cats (none of whom is ginger). Her first book The Space Between won the Eilis Dillon Award at the 2018 Children's Books Ireland Awards. The Deepest Breath won the Judge's Special Prize at the 2020 Children's Books Ireland Awards and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. It is published in the USA by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and in France by Talents Haut. Baby Teeth was a Kirkus Best YA Book of 2022 and was nominated for the 2023 Carnegie Medal.
Reviews
"This brave, kind novel in verse explores gender identity in an original way."
-- Sarah Webb * Irish Independent *"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
"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 *"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'A Middle-Grade chapter book that tackles the diverse topic of gender identity uniquely and magically.'
* YA Books Central *'This Lonely Book has traveled with me so many places and I have pulled it out and shared it again and again so maybe it's a little less lonely.'
* Wandering Bookseller *'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 *'Very cute and sweet! Annie's love and care for her family and their home and the love her family had for each other was so heartwarming.'
* NetGalley Librarian, 5 Star review *'This book was so gentle--with the reader, with the characters, with the subject matter. Even though there was a deep ache for the "lonely" book to find it's reader, there was also deep comfort in the book. I've read pretty much everything by Meg Grehan and remain a fan.'
* NetGalley, 5 star review *
'What a beautiful, magical story ... Gender identity and anxiety are areas with little representation in literature for this target age of 8-11 years old. This book is queer joy. You will laugh and cry and probably wish you could visit their magical bookstore yourself. Highly recommend.'
* NetGalley Librarian, 5 star review *
'This is a very sweet book that teaches children about gender identity in a very simple way.'
* NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review *'One of my favorite reads of the year. This heartwarming book about a magical bookstore reminds its readers just how important it is to love all that makes you you.'
* NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review *'This book was so sweet! It was a perfect little slice-of-life book with a touch of magical realism and a touching story to boot. It's definitely not just a book for younger people, either. As a queer adult, I found reading this book to be incredibly fulfilling.'
* NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review *'A book that is hard to put down once you open it. I think that this is a valuable book to have in any classroom or public library.'
* Goodreads/NetGalley Librarian, 5 star review *'Grehan's writing style is lovely, and she captured Annie's youthful and inquisitive spirit so nicely, and it was so clear how much love she held for her moms and Charlie, her older sibling ... It was truly a wonderful read.'
* 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."
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."
Praise for Baby Teeth
"Emotionally rich and gloriously queer."
* Kirkus, starred review *Awards
Nominated for Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing 2024 2024.
Book Information
ISBN 9781915071446
Author Megan Grehan
Format Paperback
Page Count 176
Imprint Little Island
Publisher Little Island
Weight(grams) 250g
