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Us Minus Mum
On sale
6th February 2014
Price: £6.99
Us Minus Mum has been longlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2015 and shortlisted for the UKLA Book Awards 2015. Heart-warming as well as heart-breaking, it is the story of two brothers and their lovable mongrel finding laughter in the face of loss.
George and Theo’s mum is brilliant.
She tells great stories, can wave the fastest of anyone on the planet and, most importantly, she was the one who suggested they adopt a scruffy dog called Goffo.
The boys think she’s invincible. But they’re wrong.
Because Mum is ill.
Really ill.
It’s up to George and Theo to keep Mum smiling. Which will almost probably definitely involve wellies, shepherd’s pie and Goffo’s victory at the pet talent show . . .
‘a perfectly-judged, wonderfully-observed story of coming to terms with the loss of a parent and coping with grief. It’s also a funny and delightful portrait of a family that is probably different from your family, but just like it, too. I loved it and heartily recommend it to every single reader of 9 and up.’ The Bookbag
George and Theo’s mum is brilliant.
She tells great stories, can wave the fastest of anyone on the planet and, most importantly, she was the one who suggested they adopt a scruffy dog called Goffo.
The boys think she’s invincible. But they’re wrong.
Because Mum is ill.
Really ill.
It’s up to George and Theo to keep Mum smiling. Which will almost probably definitely involve wellies, shepherd’s pie and Goffo’s victory at the pet talent show . . .
‘a perfectly-judged, wonderfully-observed story of coming to terms with the loss of a parent and coping with grief. It’s also a funny and delightful portrait of a family that is probably different from your family, but just like it, too. I loved it and heartily recommend it to every single reader of 9 and up.’ The Bookbag
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Reviews
Us Minus Mum is a perfectly-judged, wonderfully-observed story of coming to terms with the loss of a parent and coping with grief. It's also a funny and delightful portrait of a family that is probably different from your family, but just like it, too. I loved it and heartily recommend it to every single reader of 9 and up.
. . . brilliant characters, plenty of action, snappy dialogue . . . It's heartbreaking, yes - but uplifting and enlightening, too.
[T]his is such a skilfully told and often hilarious story, which captures the very essence of a ten year old boy in George the narrator. . . . [T]he author, who has written on bereavement counselling, does not put a foot wrong in showing us, with incredible pathos and sincerity, what it is really like for young children to not be told the truth and how families can help each other through impossibly difficult circumstances.
Wonderfully observed, funny and touching, this little gem will strike a real chord with readers of all ages.
Heather Butler's debut novel tackles a difficult subject with sensitivity, a lack of mawkishness, and numerous fart jokes . . . the depiction of George's unfolding emotional state - anger, guilt, fear - is believable and beautifully done