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Paperback240 pages
Author's Website
www.annabelpitcher.com/Publisher
Indigo Paperbacks (an Imprint of The Orion Publishing Group Ltd ) an imprint of Orion Publishing CoSuitable for Ages
Featured Books for 11+ readersChildren's Audio Books
Children's Book Awards - Shortlists and Winners
CILIP Carnegie & Greenaway Children's Book Awards 2012
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Publication date
6th October 2011ISBN
9781780620299Children's Author 'Like-for-Like' recommendations
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My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece
Annabel Pitcher
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Julia Eccleshare's comment:
Shortlisted for the 2012 Carnegie Medal and the 2012 Branford Boase Award.
Shortlisted for the Galaxy Children's Book of the Year Award 2011.
The Carnegie Judges said: With a great central character, a sophisticated plot and an ending that is both credible and hopeful, this is a book that avoids the "issues trap" to stay with you long after you finish it. The observations of the 10 year old narrator are extremely well-captured, as is his growing friendship with Surya, and the way in which prejudice is broken down on both sides.
The Branford Boase judges said: A very accomplished piece of writing by an author with a clear talent. The descriptions of the way the father handled his daughter’s death and a small child’s reaction to this are very well handled.
A Lovereading4Kids 'Debut of the Year 2011'.
11+. Heartbreaking and funny in equal measure, 10-year-old Jamie's direct and wide-eyed account of the emotional chaos he and his family live through following the death of his sister in a terrorist attack is poignant and warm-hearted. Beginning a new life in the Lake District with his older sister and his father, who mourns his daughter through alcohol and a wild rage against her killers, Jamie knows he should feel sadder than he does. The truth is, he can hardly remember his sister; and what is happening with his new school and new friends, especially Sunya, is more urgent – as is his yearning for his absent mother. Emotionally charged, this is a wonderfully touching story which never slips into worthiness.
The LoveReading Comment:
Begin reading this book and you'll be utterly mesmerised by the voice of a 10 year old boy whose family have quite frankly gone AWOL since one of his twin sisters was blown up by a terrorist bomb 5 years before. Narrated by the boy, My Sister lives on a Mantelpiece will bring both laughter and tears to the reader, both young and old but don't be put off by the main protagonist being only 10. This is definitely a book for boys and girls aged 11+ and is a debut novel from an author with a bright future.
Who is Julia Eccleshare ?
Synopsis
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel PitcherHeartbreaking and funny in equal measure, 10-year-old Jamie's direct and wide-eyed account of the emotional chaos he and his family live through following the death of his sister in a terrorist attack is poignant and warm-hearted.
Ten-year-old Jamie Matthews has just moved to the Lake District with his Dad and his teenage sister, Jasmine for a 'Fresh New Start'. Five years ago his sister's twin, Rose, was blown up by a terrorist bomb. His parents are wrecked by their grief, Jasmine turns to piercing, pink hair and stops eating. The family falls apart. But Jamie hasn't cried in all that time. To him Rose is just a distant memory. Jamie is far more interested in his cat, Roger, his birthday Spiderman T-shirt, and in keeping his new friend Sunya a secret from his dad. And in his deep longing and unshakeable belief that his Mum will come back to the family she walked out on months ago. When he sees a TV advert for a talent show, he feels certain that this will change everything and bring them all back together once and for all.
Titles in the Branford Boase Award shortlist 2012:
Long Lankin - Lindsey Barraclough
Being Billy - Phil Earle
Small Change for Stuart - Lissa Evans
Everybody Jam - Ali Lewis
Sky Hawk - Gill Lewis
A Beautiful Lie - Irfan Master
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece - Annabel Pitcher
Reviews
'It's a wonderful piece of writing. It has a warmth you can bask in; an honesty you can cut with a knife... There were plenty of tears as I read, and again later when I thought back on it. This is one of those stories which has elements that will stay with me for good.' Philip Ardagh
'I loved every second of it.. That is what is so wonderful about the book – you feel everything [Jamie] feels, because it is narrated with the same simplicity and confusion that he himself would have gone through.' Fanus Fibreab, 14, one of the winners of the Guardian Young Critics' Prize 2011.
'I loved this book because it is one of the few books that have made me cry yet it still has an uplifting theme of hope which carries you through the sad moments. I couldn't put this book down but not because it is action packed, not because it is frightening and not because its exciting - just because you can't stop reading until you know Jamie will be OK. Another thing I love is how contemporary issues such as racism, divorce and terrorism are explored through the eyes of a family effected by all of them. A really great book and I can't wait for the next book by this new writer.'- Rosie, age 13, READING ZONE
'..the book is very interesting because it shows how some people cope, or fail to cope with difficult situations... This book stirs up the emotions we face when challenged by split loyalties betweens friends and families.'- James, age 12
'..the plot was really clever. I like the way that the plot was based around true events that occurred... also it is based on things that happen in life in this age..' - Ruhaan, age 12
'Sad but fantastic - I loved it!' - Tonicha, age 12, READING ZONE
And some passion from a number of staff at the publisher:
‘Makes you laugh out loud, it makes you cry; it reaffirms your belief in the power of the novel.’ Lisa Milton, Trade Managing Director
‘In the first instance we were all impressed by Annabel’s stylish, fluent, moving debut novel My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece. We were impressed to meet the professional, poised and delightful person behind that voice, and all feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with her on this book.’ Fiona Kennedy, Publisher
‘Warm and funny and horrific and heartrending all at the same time – the whole gamut of human emotion is in this book.’ Maggy Park, Field Sales Administration Manager
‘It will break your heart but fill it too. My favourite book of the year.’ Jo Carpenter, Group Key Accounts Director
‘Every bit as compelling as Curious Incident... Blackly funny and moving.’ Mark Stay, Digital Key Accounts Director
‘My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece is outstanding and very, very memorable. Tragic, poignant, funny and utterly absorbing, this is a book that I want to pass on to everyone I know.’ Felicity Johnston, Editorial Assistant
About The Author
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Annabel Pitcher studied English at Oxford and has since worked as a script writer and an English teacher. She lives in Yorkshire with her husband. My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece is her first novel. She is a full time writer.
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