A new middle-grade verse novel from award-winning author Meg Grehan

A loving story about gender identity, family, and the magic of books. 

"We are a family
Perfectly formed
We are honest and open and ourselves
We are together together together
We are made of love"

Annie loves helping out in her moms' bookshop. But she knows something is troubling her older sibling, and her moms are worried too. Even the bookshop is upset.

'What a tender jewel of a book ... The Lonely Book was a balm and a blessing.'  – Deirdre Sullivan, author of Savage Her Reply

'A beautifully immersive, magical and timely tale of family, gender identity – and the importance of a good book! I binged Meg Grehan's The Lonely Book in one sitting, it's the perfect warm and love-filled escape for bookworms of all ages, especially those who've always believed in the magic of bookstores.'  – Aislinn O'Loughlin, author of Big Bad Me

'This brave, kind novel in verse explores gender identity in an original way. '  – Sarah Webb, Irish Independent

'By emphasizing the ways in which books and bookstores serve as safe spaces, the importance of open and honest communication in relationships, and the power of unconditional love, Grehan offers a wholesome and affirming story suffused with warmth and populated by a supportive and compassionate cast.' – Publishers Weekly starred review

'There is much for every reader to enjoy in this celebration of the wonders of bookshops and family love.' – The Echo

'I love this. I adore the language, the idea ... I'm definitely going to be recommending this one highly!'  – Read and Reviewed

'Simply breathtaking.' – Karla Bookish Life, 5 star review

'Grehan's writing style is lovely ... I also deeply enjoyed the magical element of the story and how it emphasized how meaningful and even life-changing the right book can be for a person.' – Queer Big Foot

Meg Grehan is originally from County Louth but now hiding away in County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland, with a very ginger girlfriend, an even more ginger dog and an undisclosed number of cats (none of whom is ginger). Her first book The Space Between won the Eilís Dillon Award at the 2018 Children’s Books Ireland Awards. The Deepest Breath won the Judge’s Special Prize at the 2020 Children’s Books Ireland Awards and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. It is published in the USA by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and in France by Talents Haut. Baby Teeth was a Kirkus Best YA Book of 2022 and was nominated for the 2023 Carnegie Medal.