Away With Words
Published on 11. May 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
208 pages
978-1-78895-392-4 (ISBN)
Description
"Utterly unique and movingly memorable, a wonderful story about what happens when we take control of our own narrative, and find ways to communicate across the gaps in language. Clever, brilliantly written, and thought-provoking, it will stay with you." - Sinead O'Hart, author of The Time Tider
Set in a world where words appear physically when people speak, AWAY WITH WORDS explores the importance of communication and being there for those we love.
Gala and her dad, Jordi, have just moved from home in Cataluna to a town in Scotland, to live with Jordi's boyfriend Ryan. Gala doesn't speak much English, and feels lost, lonely and unable to be her usual funny self. Until she befriends Natalie, a girl with selective mutism. The two girls find their own ways to communicate, which includes collecting other people's discarded words. They use the words to write anonymous supportive poems for their classmates, but then someone begins leaving nasty messages using the same method - and the girls are blamed. Gala has finally started adapting to her new life in Scotland and is determined to find the culprit. Can she and Natalie show the school who they really are?
An intriguing, thoughtful and lyrical exploration of how we express ourselves, for fans of Katya Balen, A POCKETFUL OF STARS and Lisa Thompson.
PRAISE FOR AWAY WITH WORDS:
"One of the most beautiful explorations of language, the power of words, and communication in general I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Brave, clever, and innovative, Away With Words demonstrates the very best of what children's fiction can do - it's pure, lyrical magic from start to finish." - Zoe Markham, Netgalley
"It has been fantastic to read this novel. As someone who is a communication specialist and spends a lot of time helping children and young people to adapt and learn how they can better interact, this is a book that might go some way to helping the wider world understand the challenges those with selective mutism face and how we can better support them." - Eimear Monahan, Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist
"A page-turning book about finding your place & your voice, it's about the power & the pain & the colour of language too. I loved it." - Perdita Cargill, author of Diary of an Accidental Witch
"Sophie Cameron wrote another beautiful book, so full of meaning and emotion. I adored it and I will be recommending it non-stop." - Caleb P., librarian
Set in a world where words appear physically when people speak, AWAY WITH WORDS explores the importance of communication and being there for those we love.
Gala and her dad, Jordi, have just moved from home in Cataluna to a town in Scotland, to live with Jordi's boyfriend Ryan. Gala doesn't speak much English, and feels lost, lonely and unable to be her usual funny self. Until she befriends Natalie, a girl with selective mutism. The two girls find their own ways to communicate, which includes collecting other people's discarded words. They use the words to write anonymous supportive poems for their classmates, but then someone begins leaving nasty messages using the same method - and the girls are blamed. Gala has finally started adapting to her new life in Scotland and is determined to find the culprit. Can she and Natalie show the school who they really are?
An intriguing, thoughtful and lyrical exploration of how we express ourselves, for fans of Katya Balen, A POCKETFUL OF STARS and Lisa Thompson.
PRAISE FOR AWAY WITH WORDS:
"One of the most beautiful explorations of language, the power of words, and communication in general I've ever had the pleasure of reading. Brave, clever, and innovative, Away With Words demonstrates the very best of what children's fiction can do - it's pure, lyrical magic from start to finish." - Zoe Markham, Netgalley
"It has been fantastic to read this novel. As someone who is a communication specialist and spends a lot of time helping children and young people to adapt and learn how they can better interact, this is a book that might go some way to helping the wider world understand the challenges those with selective mutism face and how we can better support them." - Eimear Monahan, Paediatric Speech and Language Therapist
"A page-turning book about finding your place & your voice, it's about the power & the pain & the colour of language too. I loved it." - Perdita Cargill, author of Diary of an Accidental Witch
"Sophie Cameron wrote another beautiful book, so full of meaning and emotion. I adored it and I will be recommending it non-stop." - Caleb P., librarian
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Little Tiger Press Group
Target group
Children/juvenile
Interest Age: From 10 to 14 years
Dimensions
Height: 196 mm
Width: 127 mm
Thickness: 15 mm
Weight
150 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78895-392-4 (9781788953924)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Sophie Cameron is a YA and MG author from the Scottish Highlands. Her debut MG novel OUR SISTER, AGAIN won the Leeds Book Awards, while A FLASH OF NEON was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal for Writing and AWAY WITH WORDS was shortlisted for the Carnegie, as well as the UKLA Award, Polari Prize, Spark! Book Awards, and a runner-up at the Diverse Book Awards. She lives in Spain with her family.