"New friendship and music sees a boy’s grief and loneliness supplanted by love and hope"
From the agonising loneliness of grief, to the wonders of new friendships and a newfound father-son bond, Cath Howe’s How to be Me will stir readers to joy as it steers through Lucas’s profound sadness. His pitch-perfect narration is sublimely child-centred, with fine details that raise smiles and tug the heart. Tender and thoughtful, what a warm beam of a book this is, with the transformative, restorative power of music (and cats) threaded throughout.
“Vanessa’s going to be your new mum, Lukie. You could at least look a bit excited about it.” Lucas’s dad’s words strike him to the core - his mum died three years ago, and Vanessa is nothing like her, while his wealthy banker dad is hardly ever around. Dad is a bluster of confidence, busyness, and quick fixes, which is why he sends Lucas to drama club - Dad thinks this will fix Lucas’s reluctance to speak up in public, but Lucas is horrified: “Why hadn’t Dad asked me?
Why did he never ask me?” But that’s the thing about Dad - he always thinks he knows best, though he doesn’t know Lucas at all.
Thankfully, the horrors of drama class shrink when Lucas befriends Keely and her beautiful, bighearted family. Keely is a delight - straight-talking, observant, funny, caring. Life also looks up also when his drama teacher realises he’s an incredible pianist. With an enthralling finale that builds in beautiful waves, and an inclusive, readable style, I adored every word of this treasure.
Lucas is all alone. Since his mum died, Lucas and his dad don't seem to understand each other at all. And Lucas is dreading the summer drama club that his dad has signed him up for.
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the best books for 9-12 year olds · the best books for teenagers
Lucas is all alone. Since his mum died, Lucas and his dad don't seem to understand each other at all.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed How to be Me and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
How to be Me features in the following genres: Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, PSHE: Bereavement and Grief, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), School Stories, Star Books, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback, Ebook. £7.99. Digital. Available Immediately. Country restrictions apply..
How to be Me was written by Cath Howe and published by Nosy Crow
£7.99. Digital. Available Immediately. Country restrictions apply..
