ABOUT THIS BOOK

IN MY FAMILY, when anyone rides the wave of their emotions, we say they're chucking a birkett. When the emotion drives out all common sense, we say they're chucking a big one. The telltale signs are: flaming cheeks, shortness of breath, bulging eyes, and a prolonged illogical outburst.

Gemma Stone is convinced that it's always unseemly to chuck a birkett and that it's actually insane to chuck one in front of a complete stranger. But that was before she fell for a boy who barely knows she exists, before she auditioned for the school play, before she met the family of freaks her sister Debbie is marrying into, before the unpredictable Raven De Head took an interest in her, and before she realized that at the right time and for the right reason, a birkett could be a beautiful thing.


REVIEWS

Starred Review, School Library Journal, August 2007:
"Shanahan's quirky characters are a riot, but the depth of Gemma's growth and heartbreak is genuinely profound."
—Terri Clark

Starred Review, Kirkus Reviews, July 15, 2007:
"Writing with impressive attention to details, Shanahan uncovers life's small everyday details to encourage readers to look again and appreciate."


ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lisa Shanahan is a prolific author of books for young children in her native Australia. This is her first novel for young adults.


RELATED LINKS

Click here for THE SWEET, TERRIBLE, GLORIOUS YEAR I TRULY, COMPLETELY LOST IT BookTalk