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Birdy Arbuthnot’s Year of ‘Yes!’

Joanna Nadin

Fox & Ink Books (13+) 9781916747654 (Paperback)

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Tired of suburban life, Birdy Arbuthnot resolves to spend a year saying yes to opportunities which come her way in this warm, witty coming-of-age novel. Set in Soho in the 1960s, strong-characterisation and a distinctive, stylish internal monologue that develops and matures through the novel make for a memorable read which is told with a sense of grounded grace.

Themes

  • Found family 
  • Rites of Passage 
  • Humour 
  • History (1960s) 
  • Bereavement

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Joanna Nadin

Joanna Nadin is a former broadcast journalist and special adviser to the Prime Minister (not this one). Since leaving politics, she has written more than 90 books for children and adults, including the bestselling The Worst Class in the World series, the Flying Fergus series with Sir Chris Hoy, and the Carnegie-nominated Joe All Alone, which is now a BAFTA-winning and Emmy-nominated BBC Drama. She’s been a World Book Day author, Radio 4 and the i magazine Book of the Year, won the Fantastic Book Award and the Highland Book Prize, and has been nominated for the Carnegie Medal five times. Joanna has been shortlisted for the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, Queen of Teen and the Big Book Awards, among many others. She is a Senior Lecturer in the subject at University of Bristol, as well as teaching for the Arvon Foundation.

Shadowers' reviews and artwork

I liked the side character developments, especially Charlie. I didn't like how Birdy was privileged but doesn't acknowledge it herself. All of her bad actions had zero consequences and everything still ended up being handed to her on a silver spoon. She was playing at being poor.

Laura

HGCSC Library