The Second-Hand Boy by Jennifer Lane

Review:

When his best friend leaves town, Billy finds himself all alone as his world comes crashing down around him. Between swerving the bullies and looking after mum, there seems to be no escape from his problems.

However, when Mum gives him a second-hand book, everything changes. Billy finds himself drawn into an icy world of parallel universe’s where things aren’t quite as they seem…

The Second-Hand Boy is a wonderful heartfelt and gripping middle-grade novel, covering themes of being a young carer, friendships, bullying, loneliness and vulnerability. It isn’t a book that will just support younger readers who may relate to some themes with in the story but will educate as well. Full of empathy, this story has loveable characters, a magical feel and a huge twist that I was not expecting. The atmosphere that the writer creates through her fabulous writing and language style is exquisite and very clever for younger readers to ‘get’ the messages being portrayed throughout the plot.

The Second-Hand Boy is a perfect book for upper primary libraries and classrooms and is a great match for fans of books by Lisa Thompson, Onjali Rauf and RJ Palacio. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and know how important this book is… schools and parents/carers need to get this wonderful book into young readers hands.

I want to say a huge thank you to publishers, UCLan Publishing, for sending me a finished copy of, The Second-Hand Boy, to read and review on my blog as well as the Waterstones website as a bookseller.

You can buy this fabulous book from all booksellers, online and of course using any independent local bookshop.

About the Author:

Jennifer Lane is an author and freelance nature writer. She has written for a broad range of outlets including the Observer, British Vogue, The Week, Dazed, the BBC, The Wildlife Trusts and RSPB, and she won a Northern Writers’ Award for her children’s fiction, which looked at destigmatising mental health issues for a younger audience.

You can find Jennifer at:

Twitter: @JennLaneWrites

Instagram: @thegreenwitchwriter

Publishing Information:

Publisher: UCLan Publishing

Publication Date: 1st February 2024

Paperback RRP: £8.99

Suitability: Age 7+

ISBN: 978-1915235879