Wing Jones

By Author / Illustrator

Katherine Webber, Luke Lucas

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Walker Books Ltd

ISBN

9781406369090

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

05-01-2017

Synopsis

Debut novel about a mixed-race family hit by tragedy in 90s Atlanta from a talented young writer.

For fans of David Levithan, Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell: a sweeping story about love and family from an exceptional new voice in YA. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between worlds. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had. Wing's speed could bring her family everything it needs. It could also stop Wing getting the one thing she wants.

Reviews

Wing Jones has always lived in the shadow of her brother; uncomfortable in her skin and awkward, she hugs the shadows at school, anxious not to draw attention to herself. But when Marcus falls from grace, Wing finds the isolation unbearable. Feeling even more of a social pariah, without Marcus, without his physical presence and without his reputation, Wing struggles to find her voice. Driven by frustration and an impotence to help at home where Marcus's absence is felt acutely, Wing starts to run. To run away from the worries and responsibilities. To run towards a salvation. To run for Marcus. And she's good at it. Really good. Katherine Webber has given us some really amazing characters (cue Wing's grandmothers, one Chinese, one Ghanaian), great family dynamics, friendship, strength, hope and love. What's not to like? Definitely worth seeking this one out on the shelves. 384 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Catherine Purcell, school librarian.