Big Bones

Big Bones

By Author / Illustrator

Laura Dockrill

Genre

Real life

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Hot Key Books

ISBN

9781471406928

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

08-03-2018

Synopsis

The heartwarming new novel from the sparkling Laura Dockrill, introducing Bluebelle, and her moving, hilarious take on food, body image and how we look after ourselves and others.  'It's a food diary. I have to tell the truth. That's the point.' Bluebelle, aka BB, aka Big Bones - is a sixteen-year-old girl encouraged to tackle her weight even though she's perfectly happy, thank you, and getting on with her life and in love with food. Then a tragedy in the family forces BB to find a new relationship with her body and herself. . .  Tuck in for best mates, belly laughs, boys and the best Bakewell tart.


'Big Bones is the book I wish I'd had as a teenager and Bluebelle is a friend I wish I had today. Laura has written a beautiful love letter to some of the most important things in life: friends, family and food.' Linsdey Kelk.

Reviews

Clair

Bluebelle, aka Big Bones, loves food. Every chapter of Big Bones has a food theme, starting with one of my personal favourites - crumpets! This is the food diary that Bluebelle was encouraged to keep following the appointment with the nurse that her mum dragged her to.

Bluebelle is a body-confident 16 year old who has a very close bond with her sister and thinks she knows what she wants to do in life. BB has just finished her GCSE Exams and wants to start an apprenticeship at Planet Coffee rather than stay on at school. This may (or may not) have something to do with Max, who also works there. Dove, her sister, is the complete opposite of BB. She does not sit still and loves free running/parkour. Somehow Dove manages to eat what she likes and stay slim. When a family tragedy strikes, it prompts BB to reassess her relationship with food and start taking more care of her health.

I really enjoyed reading this warm and funny book. Bluebelle has such an honest voice (it is possibly too honest in places!) There were some moments where I genuinely laughed out loud. I still wonder where the author got the idea for 'bum tills'. NB: There is a brief mention of a bulimic incident involving a coat hanger (p282) However, the main character regrets this instantly; 'Never had I wished I could undo an action so quickly'.

This book will really appeal to teenagers who like reading humour and contemporary fiction.

400 pages / Ages 14+ / Reviewed by Clair Bossons, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 14+

 

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