The Lonely Book

This is an utterly absorbing verse novel. Annie and Charlotte’s two mothers known as Mum and Mama own an independent bookshop called Birch Books which is their pride and joy. Annie, the younger of the two siblings, is convinced the book shop is magic because every morning there is a new stack of books on the counter for which they must find homes. This will be a concept which is intensely appealing to book lovers.

Initially, everything is going beautifully and the reader cannot imagine how this idyll can be broken. Then a book appears in the book shop called The Lonely Book and its perfect home cannot be found. For several days, the book shop becomes angry and books are strewn about regularly. Coupled with this, Mum is seen by Annie reading a book about money. Is the shop in trouble? Also, what is Charlotte’s secret? She has been very quiet and withdrawn lately.

All these issues are resolved in very convincing ways. This will be one of the most life affirming books for any young person who identifies as non-binary. For those who are cis-gender, the issues are explored non confrontationally and compassionately.