Ostrich Boys
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Penguin Random House Children's UK
Published:3rd Jul '08
Should be back in stock very soon
Shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award.Ostrich Boys is an incredible story about loss and friendship - full of humour but packing a massive punch!
After a depressing and dispiriting funeral they feel taking Ross to Ross will be a fitting memorial for a 15 year-old boy who changed all their lives through his friendship.
'It's not really kidnapping, is it? He'd have to be alive for it to be proper kidnapping.'
Kenny, Sim and Blake are about to embark on a remarkable journey of friendship. Stealing the urn containing the ashes of their best friend Ross, they set out from Cleethorpes on the east coast to travel the 261 miles to the tiny hamlet of Ross in Dumfries and Galloway. After a depressing and dispiriting funeral they feel taking Ross to Ross will be a fitting memorial for a 15 year-old boy who changed all their lives through his friendship. Little do they realise just how much Ross can still affect life for them even though he's now dead.
Drawing on personal experience Keith Gray has written an extraordinary novel about friendship, loss and suicide, and about the good things that may be waiting just out of sight around the corner . . .
One of the highlights of the year . . . Reminiscent of On the Road and Catcher in the Rye, this is a seminal book about modern youth . . . Pertinent and profound work, instantly worthy of the label "modern classic" -- Jake Hope * The Bookseller *
Gray, with excellent timing, keeps the plot light and humourous, despite dealing with suicide, loss of friendship and bullying * Daily Telegraph *
A gripping tale of loss, guilt, revenge and redemption and contains touches of gallows humour that will be of particular appeal to the teen audience. Gray has managed to mainatin the high standard of his previous work and while this text does not alienate teenage girls. It will be of particular appeal to teenage boys * The School Librarian *
An exceptionally involving and affecting novel * Books for Keeps *
Funny, page-turning and profound -- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday Times *
- Short-listed for Costa Childrens Book Award 2009 (UK)
ISBN: 9780099456575
Dimensions: 198mm x 129mm x 22mm
Weight: 255g
368 pages