Book Info

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Synopsis

Judges: “A poignant story of a family coming to terms with a terrible loss.”

An intriguing, compelling and moving new novel from the award-winning author of Finding Violet Park. When the good-looking boy with the American accent presses the dropped negative into Rowan's hand, she's sure it's all a big mistake. But next moment he's gone, lost in the crowd of bustling shoppers. And she can't afford to lose her place in the checkout queue, after all, if she doesn't take the groceries home, nobody else will. Rowan has more responsibilities than most girls her age. These days, she pretty much looks after her little sister single-handedly, which doesn't leave much time for friends or fun. So when she finds out that Bee from school saw the whole thing, it piques her curiosity. Who was the boy? Why was he so insistent that the negative belonged to Rowan?

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Reviews

Praise for Finding Violet Park A wonderful debut for many reasons !What marks this book out is not just its charm, warmth and wit, but also the skill with which Valentine braids together the threads The Guardian No plot summary cando justice to the particular flavour of this book, both witty and with moments of genuine sweetness !Excellent. Books for Keeps Ultra-original and brilliantly written, this will have you laughing and crying too. Mizz Magazine Has the originality of Mark Haddon, the immediacy of Jacqueline Wilson and the emotional connection of Kevin Brooks. It really does work. Jill Murphy, The Book Bag A captivating novel from a compelling new voice in teen fiction!hilarious and dramatic in turns. Liverpool Echo I loved every page of this extraordinary book; a completely unique and involving story!a great book which deserves to be read over and over again. Redhouse Review, Hannah Pitts age 15 A great story, with a witty and believable main character. tbk mag If Jenny Valentine doesn't start you reading, I'm not sure what will ! A very creative and highly original plot ! I would also recommend it to sneaky parents who like to snoop around their children's bookcases. But make sure you have time to spare, as you will be unable to put this book down! Emily Decker,South Wales Argus An unpredictable story full of suspense ! If you are looking for an original, creative, page-turner that is filled with mystery, look no further Megan Davies, South Wales Argus This is a moving story Newcastle-Upon-Tyne Evening Chronicle, 29th October 2009 Iggy and Me Quotes Funny and endearing, each chapter is a complete story in its own right!humorously illustrated, too, it is a joy Liverpool Echo, 28th September 2009 The stories feature her trademark humour
Manchester Evening News, 17th October 2009 They

're) warm and funny and ideal for bedtime reading The Scotsman, 17th Oct 2009 A collection of easy to read stories Carousel, November 2009'

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About The Author

Jenny Valentine moved house every two years when she was growing up. She has just moved house again, probably not for the last time. She worked in a wholefood shop in Primrose Hill for fifteen years where she met many extraordinary people and sold more organic loaves than there are words in her first novel. She has also worked as a teaching assistant and a jewellery maker. She studied English Literature at Goldsmiths College, which almost put her off reading but not quite. Jenny is married to a singer/songwriter and has two children. 'Finding Violet Park' is her first novel.

Q+A
Cool name!
I owe the showbiz name to my husband!

This is your first book, have you always wanted to be a writer girl and how did you make it happen?
My mum bought me a notebook when I was about nine that looked like a novel on the outside. I had to put the title and the author on the front and then fill it with a story. I knew then. I’m not sure exactly how I made it happen - I put the work in I guess.

What was your favourite book as a teen girl?
Such a hard question! I read a lot and I always wish I’d made lists of all the books I loved. One that stands out would be The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

For people who haven’t read your book yet - Finding Violet Park, what’s it all about?
It’s about a boy who finds an old lady’s ashes in a mini cab office and decides to find out who she was. He learns a lot of other things while he’s doing it.

Lucas is a great narrator, what made you write from a boy’s perspective?
No idea! He just jumped out, fully formed, in about the second sentence. I’m not sure I had that much choice in the matter.

Secrets are a big part of the book,what’s your biggest secret?
Good try!

If the book had a soundtrack, what would be on it?
Well, Lucas listens to all his Dad’s old records so there’d be some early David Bowie, some Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, maybe Rolling Stones. Then there’d have to be some piano pieces for Violet to play, Rachmaninov gets played at Lucas’s granny’s.Then Lucas’s own choices might be Sufjan Stevens, Will Oldham, and a song from my husband Alex Valentine’s record TARDIS HEART. It’s called SORROW and as soon as I heard it I said I’d want it in a soundtrack if I was ever lucky enough to get one.

Apart from your own, what’s your favourite book for teens?
Holes by Louis Sachar. I love that book. I think it’s perfect.

What’s the best thing about being a writer?
Finding the exact word you’ve been searching for.

Do you have a writing routine, Jenny? Tell us about it…
Well it’s very un-HELLO! I drink coffee, I have a walk by the river with our dog, I sit down and I re-read some of what I did the day before. Then I get going. Sometimes I look up and three hours have gone by, sometimes it’s like getting blood out of a stone. I think it helps to have no routine at all, just to go with it, see how it’s working.

What’s next in the world of JV?
I’m working on my next book. It should be out next year. I can’t tell you what it’s called yet because I don’t know. I’m very indecisive.

The colour pink. Discuss.
Let’s see… bubblegum, fake fur, rose petals, cold noses, underwear, marshmallows, candy floss, lip gloss…. how am I doing?!

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