Synopsis: The story of a boy who gets lost and finds his way home – not only because he runs away from home, but because he is lost in his own memories and his own feelings of guilt and helplessness.

Review: This is Kelly’s debut novel, and it will be a hard act to follow. He combines humour with heartbreak, and keeps readers guessing until the final pages. We know that the cause of Danny’s disturbed mental state is Finn, and gradually we discover the bond between them, and the trauma which has prompted Danny first to become electively mute, and then to run away from home. Danny tells his own story, with short chapters - sometimes just a list - written in a quirky, truthful and comic style which reflects the mindset of a boy of Danny’s age and mental turmoil. Kelly acutely understands and portrays both the forces driving Danny and the irreverent fascination ten year-olds have with bodily functions.

The style is direct, and the layout invitingly different and varied, making this an easily accessible but profound novel for pre-teen readers. Danny, his parents, and his sister – who is profoundly deaf – command our sympathy and respect in this unsentimental study of bereavement. As well as being an excellent novel for the pre-secondary reader Finn will provide great potential for PSCHE at Key Stage 2, and early KS3.

 Ellis Dillon Award 2008

2007-06-10