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Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers

Winner of the Laugh Out Loud Book Award Shortlisted for the Children's Book Ireland Award, Irish Books Award and

the Polari Prize Nominated for the Carnegie Medal

When Aideen agrees to help ambitious class swot Maebh Kowalska deal with her crazy workload, she doesn’t expect to end up reluctantly pushing Maebh down the stairs. With this, Aideen becomes the school ‘fixer’: any problem a student has, Aideen will sort it out, from stealing confiscated mobiles to breaking into parties. All she asks for is a favour in return. But Aideen’s own life is a mess – her mam’s drinking again, her BFF Holly is avoiding her and she’s skipping school. Spending more time with the uptight (but annoyingly cute) Maebh and chatterbox Kavi, Aideen starts to wonder: can every problem be solved?

By:  
Imprint:   Anderson Press
Country of Publication:   United Kingdom
Dimensions:   Height: 198mm,  Width: 129mm,  Spine: 24mm
Weight:   318g
ISBN:   9781839130854
ISBN 10:   1839130857
Pages:   400
Publication Date:  
Recommended Age:   From 12 to 17 years
Audience:   Children/juvenile ,  English as a second language
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active

Ciara Smyth studied drama, teaching and then social work at university. She thought she didn't know what she wanted to be when she grew up. She became a writer so she wouldn't have to grow up. She enjoys jigging (verb: to complete a jigsaw), playing the violin badly, and having serious conversations with her pets. Ciara has lived in Belfast for over ten years and still doesn't really know her way around.

Reviews for Not My Problem

"""I howled with laughter. Derry Girls but better, with such a massive heart"" -- Joanna Nadin ""[B]rilliantly channels the acerbic putdowns and frank humour of TV’s Derry Girls and Sex Education... Smart, well observed and highly entertaining"" -- Fiona Noble * Observer * ""Romantic, hilarious and full of crazy capers, Smyth’s second novel also quietly conveys the grinding anxiety of growing up poor without parental support"" * Guardian * ""[A] charming novel for young lesbians"" * The Bookseller * ""Witty and engaging. This engaging novel will hook readers immediately."" -- starred review * School Library Journal *"


  • Long-listed for Polari Prize (UK).
  • Nominated for CILIP Carnegie Medal 2022 (UK)
  • Short-listed for An Post Irish Book Awards 2021 (UK)
  • Short-listed for KPMG Children's Books Ireland Awards 2022 (UK)
  • Short-listed for Polari Prize (UK).
  • Short-listed for Waterstones Children's Book Prize (UK).
  • Winner of Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2022 (UK)

See Also