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Ostrich Boys

Keith Gray

$22.99

Paperback

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English
Red Fox
01 September 2008
Shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award.

Ostrich Boys is an incredible story about loss and friendship - full of humour but packing a massive punch!

'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 dispiriting 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.

Drawing on personal experience Keith Gray has written an extraordinary novel about friendship, loss and suicide, and about the good things that may be waiting just out of sight around the corner . . .
By:  
Imprint:   Red Fox
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 198mm,  Width: 129mm,  Spine: 22mm
Weight:   255g
ISBN:   9780099456575
ISBN 10:   0099456575
Pages:   368
Publication Date:  
Recommended Age:   From 12 to 17 years
Audience:   Children/juvenile ,  12+ years ,  English as a second language
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Keith was born and brought up in Grimsby and knew from an early age that he wanted to be a writer. When he received 0% for his accountancy exams he decided to pursue his dream. Since then, he has gone on to win numerous awards. Rave reviews about his writing have appeared in every broadsheet. Keith was a judge for the Blue Peter Book Award, the Guardian Fiction Prize, the Smarties Prize and the Bookstrust Teen Prize and reviews regularly for the Guardian. Keith is now a full-time writer living in Edinburgh with his girlfriend and his cockatiel.

Reviews for Ostrich Boys

One of the highlights of the year ... Reminiscent of On the Road and Catcher in the Rye, this is a seminal book about modern youth ... Pertinent and profound work, instantly worthy of the label modern classic -- Jake Hope The Bookseller Gray, with excellent timing, keeps the plot light and humourous, despite dealing with suicide, loss of friendship and bullying Daily Telegraph A gripping tale of loss, guilt, revenge and redemption and contains touches of gallows humour that will be of particular appeal to the teen audience. Gray has managed to mainatin the high standard of his previous work and while this text does not alienate teenage girls. It will be of particular appeal to teenage boys The School Librarian An exceptionally involving and affecting novel Books for Keeps Funny, page-turning and profound -- Nicolette Jones The Sunday Times


  • Short-listed for Booktrust Teenage Prize 2009
  • Short-listed for Carnegie Medal 2009
  • Short-listed for Costa Children's Book Award 2009 (UK)
  • Short-listed for Costa Childrens Book Award 2009 (UK)
  • Short-listed for Independent Booksellers' Week Book of the Year Award: Children's Book of the Year 2010
  • Short-listed for Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children's Books: Older Readers 12-16 2009
  • Shortlisted for Booktrust Teenage Prize 2009.
  • Shortlisted for Carnegie Medal 2009.
  • Shortlisted for Costa Children's Book Award 2008.
  • Shortlisted for Independent Booksellers' Book of the Year Award: Children's Book of the Year 2010.
  • Shortlisted for Independent Booksellers' Week Book of the Year Award: Children's Book of the Year 2010.
  • Shortlisted for Royal Mail Awards for Scottish Children's Books: Older Readers 12-16 2009.

See Also