By Susin Nielsen (author)
"A prize winning writer tackles tough subjects with humour, sensitivity and a light touch"
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Winner of the UKLA 2017 Book Award
From the author of Lovereading4kids favourite We Are All Made of Molecules , this is another book that grips from the first chapter, a heart-breaking story that will nonetheless make readers laugh and leave them feeling better about the world. Henry’s life is changed for ever by ‘IT’, a terrible event that we learn about through the journal his psychologist encourages him to keep, and which describes, gradually and in surprising ways, how through new friendships and the Global Wrestling Foundation, he finds ways to cope. Nielsen writes about the heaviest subjects with the lightest of touches: here it’s suicide, bullying, breakdown but so subtly described, the balance between tragedy and humour so carefully managed, that this is a truly uplifting, even happy read.
Heartbreaking, surprising and laugh-out-loud funny, The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen is about the things that remain after your life has fallen to pieces. From the author of the acclaimed We Are All Made of Molecules. Tragedy and comedy intertwine in this award-winning novel about a boy confronting his painful past.
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Thirteen-year-old wrestling fanatic Henry used to have a normal life. Now, his therapist wants him to keep a journal so he can express his feelings about what happened. Henry has moved with his dad to a new city, where nobody knows their name. He lives off a diet of pizza, whilst hiding from the comically overbearing neighbours and avoiding being an obvious target for bullies at his new school.
But then he meets Farley and Alberta, social misfits who refuse to let him be alone. And bit by bit, the past begins to come out.
'Both disarming and endearing. A realistic, poignant portrait of one teen who overcomes nearly unbearable feelings of grief and guilt.' Kirkus
'Nielsen's balance of humor and pathos is finely honed, making this a surprisingly breezy read for so heavy a topic' Daniel Kraus Booklist
'A fantastic narrator, authentic and endearing ... a memorable read for all the right reasons' Booktrust
Praise for We Are All Made of Molecules:
‘Snappy and witty. A really fine YA novel’ Martin Chilton, Telegraph Books
‘A book to fortify readers against bullies and homophobes’ Nicolette Jones, Sunday Times
‘I defy you not to fall in love with this book’ Phil Earle
‘A really special book with a huge heart’ Melissa Cox
‘There’s already so much love out there for this one, and deservedly so.’ Fiona Noble, Editor’s Choice, The Bookseller
‘Bursts of laughter and moments of sadness - what a gem!‘ Kew Bookshop
‘Ashley and Stewart are irresistible characters and this is set to become one of the most popular books of the year’ Andrea Reece, Lovereading
‘Nielsen excels at characterisation... Richly developed, emotionally compelling and often very funny. Unputdownable.‘ INIS
‘One of the best YA books I’ve read. It pulled me from the depths of a month-long reading slump... It made me excited to read again’ Wondrous Reads
‘Susin Nielsen’s depiction of grief was picture perfect. A sweet, funny, touching and incredibly important book’ So Many Books, So Little Time
Susin Nielsen got her start feeding cast and crew on the popular television series, Degrassi Junior High. They hated her food, but they saw a spark in her writing. Nielsen went on to pen sixteen episodes of the hit TV show. Since then, Nielsen has written for many Canadian TV series. Nielsen's first two young adult novels, Word Nerd and Dear George Clooney: Please Marry My Mom , received critical acclaim and multiple Young Readers' Choice Awards. The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen won the prestigious Governor General's Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association's Children's Book of the Year and many Young Readers' Choice Awards. She lives in Vancouver with her family and two extremely destructive cats.
UKLA Book Awards - 2017
the best books for teenagers
Not That Kind of Hero
Tasneem Abdur-Rashid
Heartbreaking, surprising and laugh-out-loud funny, The Reluctant Journal of Henry K Larsen is about the things that remain after your life has fallen to pieces. From the author of the acclaimed We Are All Made of Molecules.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen and determined it is suitable for children aged 13-18 years old
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen features in the following genres: Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for Young Adults, Recommendations, Recommended Children's eBooks, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, School Stories, Featured Books for 13+ readers
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen was written by Susin Nielsen and published by Andersen Press Ltd
The Reluctant Journal of Henry K. Larsen has 255 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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