One of Our Books of the Year 2017 | Longlisted for the UKLA 2018 Book Award
A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month | February 2017 Book of the Month | Interest Age Teen Reading Age 8 Mikey thinks the world of his Dad even though he doesn’t see him that often. And when he dies suddenly, Mikey is left with nothing to remember him by except a few fleeting memories of his amazing ability to imitate any voice. With nothing to hang on to, Mikey starts to fall apart. His best mate knows that he must do something to save him and that means finding someone or something that can bring the two together. The search is bleak and dangerous – Mikey’s dad had few friends and many enemies - but the end is triumphant! Phil Earle has created a moving and meaningful story which captures the irreplaceable importance of friendship. ~ Julia Eccleshare
A Piece of Passion from Barrington Stoke MD Mairi Kidd: “When Phil first told me the plot of Mind The Gap I had goosebumps. There’s a real power and urgency to Phil’s writing for young adults, and I love that he has taken a touching true story of love and remembrance and fused it with something very raw – an account of terrible grief experienced by a young man who doesn’t really know how to express or process it, and a friend who desperately wants to help. It’s a hugely emotional story, told sparsely and brilliantly.”
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic teen readers.
Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of dyslexia friendly books and those for reluctant readers. Here on Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting new titles and refreshing our special dyslexia friendly category.
Click here to view our current selection which is broken down by age range.
Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month for February 2017
Young Magicians and the Thieves' Almanac by Nick Mohammed
A Busy Day for Birds by Lucy Cousins
Mind the Gap by Phil Earle
The Bolds on Holiday by Julian Clary
The Unexpected Love Story of Alfred Fiddleduckling by Timothy Basil Ering
The Dragon with a Chocolate Heart by Stephanie Burgis
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When Mikey's dad died, something in Mikey died too. He loved his old man and he never stopped dreaming that one day his dad would land the role of a lifetime, prove them all wrong, and rock back up to the estate in the flashiest car anyone had ever seen. Now there's just numbness, and not caring, and really, really stupid decisions. He says the worst of it is that he can't even remember his dad's voice any more. Eventually Mikey's best mate can't bear it any more, and so he sets out to give Mikey the memories - and his dad's voice - back.
The book’s premise was inspired by a tremendously moving true story. In 2013, Embankment became the last London Underground station to use the iconic ‘Mind The Gap’ announcement recorded by the late actor Oswald Laurence more than 40 years before. Originally, the clip had once been used across the Tube network and Laurence’s widow would visit every day, just to hear his voice. Phil’s novella echoes the grief and longing of this true story but puts the friendship of two boys at its heart.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Mind the Gap and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-14 years old
Mind the Gap features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Julia Eccleshare's Picks of the Month, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Mind the Gap is available in Paperback
Mind the Gap was written by Phil Earle and published by Barrington Stoke Ltd
Mind the Gap has 94 pages
£7.19
