Bone Talk (Shortlisted For Costa Children'S Book Award)

The Philippines, 100 years ago. A boy called Samkad wants to become a man. He is desperate to be given his own shield, spear and axe. His best friend, Luki, wants to be a warrior too - but she is a girl and that is forbidden. Then a new boy arrives in the village and everything changes. He brings news that a people called 'Americans' are bringing war right to his home . . . Review: 'One of the standout titles of the year' The Independent ; 'Very special' The Times ; 'Gourlay's evocative writing grips from the outset' The Guardian ; 'A master storyteller' The Scotsman ; 'Vividly drawn ... mesmerising' The Observer ; 'Exciting and action-packed' National Geographic Kids ; 'A soulful coming-of-age story rich in Filipino myth and tradition, combined with a thrilling adventure of headhunters and invaders, asking powerful questions about community, colonialism and what it means to be a man' Fiona Noble, The Bookseller ; 'Utterly engrossing. This sumptuously realised, age-old story of colonisation transports in time, culture, landscape and history. It will lodge deep in the bone long after these pages have been turned' Sita Brahmachari, author of Artichoke Hearts, winner of the Waterstone's Children's Book Prize ; 'A wonderful novel ... will stay with me for a long time' Elizabeth Laird, author of The Garbage King ; 'I loved Bone Talk. A really thoughtful and wonderful piece of storytelling' Catherine Johnson, author of Sawbones ; 'I was enthralled by Bone Talk' Teen Librarian ; 'A gripping adventure story and a fascinating piece of historical fiction but you never, ever forget that it's the story of Samkad, a boy you believe could be your friend. Highly recommended' Jill Murphy, The Bookbag ; 'Totally transported to another time, another world. Utterly amazing book' Emily Drabble, BookTrust ; 'I loved this book in so many ways. It's diverse, very challenging and really made me think. I feel as if I have lived every moment of the story ... This is a great young-adult read that strikes away from the norm. It certainly shook me from my reading perch as it was enjoyable on so many levels' Mr Ripley's Enchanted Books Prizes: Short-listed for Costa Children's Book Award 2018. Author Biography: Candy Gourlay is of Philippino heritage, and was a journalist before becoming an author. Her previous book SHINE was nominated for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize 2014. It won the Crystal Kite Prize for Europe 2014 - Candy's debut novel TALL STORY also won the Crystal Kite in 2011. TALL STORY was also nominated for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for 13 awards including the Blue Peter Prize, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize and the Branford Boase.