Charlie and Me 421 Miles From Home Synopsis
Nominated for the
CILIP CARNEGIE MEDAL
2019. 'A marvellous novel, by turns funny and sad .... an empathetic story of kindness and loss' The Sunday Times 'I LOVED this book. Funny, sad and beautifully written' Lisa Thompson, author of
THE GOLDFISH BOY
'Funny, tender, sad and huge of heart' Phil Earle, author of DEMOLITION DAD 'Mark Lowery is an exciting new voice in children's fiction' Elen Caldecott, author of
HOW KIRSTY JENKINS STOLE THE ELEPHANT
Thirteen-year-old Martin and his younger brother Charlie are on a very special journey. They're going to be travelling 421 miles all the way from Preston to the very tip of Cornwall. They're hoping to catch a glimpse of the dolphin that regularly visits the harbour there.
But is that the only reason they are going? It's a journey that's full of challenges and surprises. Martin adores his brother Charlie but he's not like ordinary kids.
He's one in a million. He was born far too early, and ought to have died. And cheeky, irrepressible, utterly unique Charlie is always keeping Martin on his toes - especially on this crazy trip they are now on.
Martin is doing his best to be a good big brother, but it's hard when there's something so huge coming once they get to Cornwall ...
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781848126220 |
| Publication date: |
11th January 2018 |
| Author: |
Mark Lowery |
| Publisher: |
Piccadilly Press an imprint of Templar Publishing |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
259 pages |
| Suitable For: |
|
Mark Lowery Press Reviews
A marvellous novel, by turns funny and sad ....an empathetic story of kindness and loss - The Sunday Times
Yes, this book is emotional but it is also heart warming and has elements of humour thrown in too. The narration of Martin is simply wonderful and I completely fell in love with charming, quirky Charlie, what a lovely little boy - Askews Newsletter
The style is easy to read, the plot paced beautifully, and yet the book is also emotionally sophisticated. In turns, light and deep, this is an inspiring read - Minerva Reads
This is a absolute gem of a book and must admit i had tears in my eyes towards the end .This is a story about the bond between siblings and all that entails.I found it so enlightening and endearing to capture a glance into their world. Especially as a mum and a mum to autistic children. Just like Charlie my youngest is more demanding than his elder sister . This is a sweet funny tale that takes you on a emotional adventure.Beautifully written and i look forward to discovering more from this author - Supermum, Where's My Cape
Powerful and moving, 'Charlie and Me' is a story about love and family. Well worth a read - North Somerset Teachers' Book Award
Funny, sad but ultimately uplifting, 'Charlie and Me' is a truly special book that I just want to press into the hands of children and encourage them to read - Book Lover Jo
Mark Lowery has delivered a very special story. Readers will cry with laughter and sadness in equal measure - Books for Keeps
A heart-warming story of family love and loss, full of humour and heart - WRD Magazine
A really lovely book - Four Shires Magazine
The style is easy to read, the plot paced beautifully, and yet the book is also emotionally sophisticated. In turns, light and deep, this is an inspiring read - Minerva Reads
It's absolutely hilarious and heart-wrenching in equal measure - Night Resplendent
By turns funny and sad, this is a wonderful story of loss and hope - Inis Reading Guide
This novel is sure to please... full of humour, and has an unexpected, heart-stopping finale - The School Librarian
It's funny for the first half and a little bit sad for the second but the author keeps you on your toes for the whole duration -- Rocco aged 10 - National Geographic Kids
About Mark Lowery
The youngest of four children, Mark Lowery was born in North Wales in 1979 and grew up in Preston, Lancs. Although he maintains that his upper body is of average size, many people have suggested that he has an unusually large head and stumpy legs.
His lifelong dream of playing for Everton was cruelly shattered at 18, when he realised that he was actually useless at football. Following this bombshell, he trained to become a primary school teacher. He denies that this was only so that he could be taller than the majority of people in his workplace.
Following a few years of teaching in Leeds, he studied for an MA in Writing for Children at the University of Winchester. After graduating he taught at schools in Ipswich and Italy, whilst writing in his spare time. He currently works part-time at a school in Cambridge. His claims that he is “the staff-room eye-candy” have been strenuously ridiculed by all those who work alongside him.
Mark is a fluent speaker of terrible Italian. He enjoys playing the guitar, football, swimming, snowboarding, reading and running around. However, as a father of two small humans, he has recently put some of these interests on hold in favour of nappy-changing and baby-entertaining. He has a real-life girlfriend who definitely exists, and his favourite meal is steak pie, mash and beans.
Socks Are Not Enough is his first novel. It deals with what Mark considers to be two of the most pressing issues of the twenty-first century – parental nudity and custard cream addiction. It is his sincere hope that this book will in some way reach out to the sufferers of these terrible afflictions.
Pants Are Everything, Mark’s second book, is published July 2013, published by Scholastic Children’s Books.
More About Mark Lowery
