A new novel from Keith Gray is always something to look forward to and Ostrich Boys, published this week, is one of his best. Gray is one of a handful of authors  who write with understanding about teenage boys' emotional vulnerability, loyalty and sense of justice, without sacrificing adventure,  pace. and humour.It's been three years since Gray's last novel but Ostrich Boys is worth the wait,. Highly recommended.

Keith is currently virtual writer in residence at Scottish Booktrust. and has produced a sequence of excellent videos about story writing which are available for free download. Not to be missed.

Read Ostrich Boys? Viewed the creative writing class? Leave a comment.

KEITH GRAY Ostrich Boys

Synopsis 'It's not really kidnapping, is it? He'd have to be alive for it to be proper kidnapping.' Kenny, Sim and Blake are about to embark on a remarkable journey of friendship. Stealing the urn containing the ashes of their best friend Ross, they set out from Cleethorpes on the east coast to travel the 261 miles to the tiny hamlet of Ross in Dumfries and Galloway. After a depressing and dispriting funeral they feel taking Ross to Ross will be a fitting memorial for a 15 year-old boy who changed all their lives through his friendship. Little do they realise just how much Ross can still affect life for them even though he's now dead. This is Keith Gray's first new novel in three years and is a wonderful rites-of-passage story combing elements from "Stand By Me", "An Inspector Calls" and "Grand Theft Parsons".