The Sky is Mine: Shortlisted for the Bristol Teen Book Award, 2020

Description

Shortlisted for the Bristol Teen Book Award 2020 Longlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2021 Nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2021 'Izzy is my hero, and her voice deserves to be heard around the world. Stunning.' Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places 'Amy Beashel holds nothing back when confronting rape culture and toxicity; this beautiful book will floor you and deserves to be on every shelf, everywhere.' Kathleen Glasgow, author of Girl in Pieces Izzy feels invisible. Trapped under the weight of expectation and censored by shame. Her mum Steph and best friend Grace have always been there to save her. But with one under the control of her stepfather and the other caught in the throes of new love, Izzy is falling between the cracks. As threats to her safety grow, Izzy wants to scream. But first she must find her voice. And if the sky is the limit, then the sky is hers. [This book contains material which some readers may find distressing, including discussions of rape, coercive behaviour, domestic violence and abuse.]

Amy Beashel lives in Shropshire with her husband, two kids and a couple of kittens called Bird and Cat Dooku. She is passionate about inspiring young women to find their own voice. Incidentally, she is also the fastest woman in the world on a space hopper.

'A powerful page-turner with giant heart. A book that everyone needs to read. Izzy is my hero, and her voice deserves to be heard around the world. Stunning.' * Jennifer Niven, New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places and Holding Up the Universe * 'Izzy's story is raw, painful, and ultimately one of survival and strength. Amy Beashel holds nothing back when confronting rape culture and toxicity; this beautiful book will floor you and deserves to be on every shelf, everywhere.' * Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces and How to Make Friends With the Dark * 'Beashel joins feminist writers like Louise O'Neill and Holly Bourne in portraying rape culture rather than simply focusing on an isolated incident or single monstrous individual, encouraging girls to speak up and shout out about their own experiences and the problems with even what seems like casual, "jokey" behaviour. When Izzy finds within herself "that girl won't stand for it, that girl who won't sit quietly on the sidelines", it's genuinely inspiring and powerful.' * Irish Times * 'Realistic... thought-provoking' * Financial Times * 'Perfect crossover... Its themes are dark, but its characters are bold and engaging' * Heat * 'One of those once-in-a-lifetime reads... There is relatability and new understanding found in every word in this beautiful, striking novel. The Sky Is Mine is certain to break your heart. Izzie is alone and facing unspeakable odds, feeling as if her words and her truth have no value. Amy Beashel presents one of the most memorable stories to hit YA shelves.' * Germ Magazine * 'Izzy is an intriguing character... readers will be shocked, angry, and, hopefully, empowered by the novel's message.' * Booklist * 'The Sky is Mine is an exceptionally powerful and emotional read, exploring the themes of abuse and control in a realistic and thought-provoking way. I couldn't put it down.' * Eve Ainsworth, author of Because of You and Tender * 'In a strongly affirmative ending wrongs are righted... Older readers will respond to the message that speaking out against abuse and domestic violence is essential and that no one need suffer alone.' * School Librarian * 'It is absolutely beautiful...a compelling book...I will read everything Amy writes from here on out because she is just an absolute brilliant writer.' * Jennifer Niven, author of All the Bright Places * 'Unflinchingly honest, devastatingly raw, and utterly compelling, this stunning YA debut is resplendent with heart, humour, and so much hope. That this book is essential reading for every teenager is without doubt, but more than that, the themes and messages will resonate with people of all ages, along with the novel's clarion call never to be silenced, to believe in yourself, to find your voice, and to use it.' * Simon James Green, author of Noah Can't Even * 'The Sky is Mine is a beautifully written, totally absorbing, utterly enraging, and ultimately inspiring novel. I loved it.' * Keris Stainton, author of My Heart Goes Bang * 'Amy Beashel's beautiful telling of Izzy's story is a call to young girls everywhere to stand up and make themselves heard.' * Anstey Harris, author of The Truths and Triumphs of Grace Atherton * 'The Sky is Mine is BRILLIANTLY written, fast-paced older YA, so strong on the pain and shame of female vulnerability & with a lead character, Izzy, who leaps out of the pages and makes you care deeply from the first page to the last.' * Perdita Cargill, author of the Waiting for Callback series * 'A recommendation for older YA patrons. Anyone looking for a story packed with teen problems and angst, this is it.' * School Library Journal *