The Deepest Breath (Paperback)
Meg Grehan (author)Published: 09/05/2019

Approaching same-sex relationships with sensitivity and warmth, Grehan’s remarkably assured verse novel is a tender and uplifting love story populated by easily relatable characters.
Stevie is eleven and loves reading and sea-creatures. She lives with her mum, and she's been best friends with Andrew since forever. Stevie's mum teases her that someday they'll get married, but Stevie knows that won't ever happen. There's a girl at school that she likes more. A lot more.
Actually, she's a bit confused about how much she likes her. It's nothing like the way she likes Andrew. It makes her fizz inside. That's a new feeling, one she doesn't understand. Stevie needs to find out if girls can like girls - love them, even - but it's hard to get any information, and she's too shy to ask out loud about it. But maybe she can find an answer in a book.
With the help of a librarian, Stevie finds stories of girls loving girls, and builds up her courage to share the truth with her mum. Written in accessible verse 'chapters' and in a warm and reassuring style, The Deepest Breath will be of special relevance to young girls who are starting to realise that they are attracted to other girls, but it is also a story for any young reader with an open mind who wants to understand how people's emotions affect their lives.
Publisher: Little Island
ISBN: 9781912417186
Number of pages: 180
Dimensions: 198 x 129 mm
MEDIA REVIEWS
'I spent most of this beautifully written verse novel blinking back tears. Grehan has created one of those rare gems, a book that feels so utterly real and involving that the reader lives every page with the main character. Written with such heart and tenderness, after closing the last page, I felt genuinely distraught to have finished it. Amazing to think it's only Grehan's second book.' - Sarah Webb, The Irish Independent
'Powerful in its simplicity ... A fierce reminder of the need for books that show readers of all kinds of love, as well as being this kind of book itself.' - Claire Hennessy, The Irish Times
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“Wow!”
I absolutely loved this book. It's beautifully written and touching.
“Gentle”
I found this written in a very gentle and accessible style for the age group.
Lovely writing style, but perhaps a little more in the story would have been great.
But certainly one to consider to help discussions.
“Exactly what I wish I'd read when I was young”
I devoured this book in a matter of hours. Was sent a copy and thought "Oh this looks cute" and was completely blown away at the powerful storytelling in such a gentle and soft way. I personally love how... More
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