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Leon is nine, and has a perfect baby brother called Jake. They have moved in with Maureen, who has fuzzy red hair and a belly like Father Christmas. But the adults are speaking in whispers. They are giving Jake to strangers. Because he is white and Leon is not. This is a story of love, identity and learning to overcome unbearable loss. And when we least expect it - we manage to find our way home.

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A TIMES and INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

WINNER OF THE IRISH NOVEL PRIZE

SHORTLISTED FOR THE COSTA FIRST NOVEL AWARD 2016

SHORTLISTED FOR THE DESMOND ELLIOTT PRIZE

LONGLISTED FOR THE GLASS BELL AWARD

It´s 1981, a year of riots and royal weddings. The Dukes of Hazzard is on TV. Curly Wurlys are in the shops. And trying to find a place in it all is nine-year-old Leon. He and his little brother Jake have gone to live with Maureen. They´ve lost one home, but have they found another?

Maureen feeds and looks after them. She has wild red hair and mutters swearwords under her breath when she thinks they can´t hear. She claims everything will be okay. But will they ever see their mother again? Who are the couple who secretly visit Jake? Between the street violence and the street parties, Leon must find a way to reunite his family...

´Startlingly funny. Balances the gritty with the feel good´ Observer

´Vivid and endearing - a very powerful book´ Emma Healey, bestselling author of Elizabeth is Missing

´Authentic and beautiful, urgent and honest, this novel makes room in your heart´ Chris Cleave, bestselling author of The Other Hand

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A brother chosen. A brother left behind. And a family where you´d least expect to find one Publisher´s description

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Waal, Kit de
Kit de Waal, born to an Irish mother and Caribbean father, was brought up among the Irish community of Birmingham in the 60´s and 70´s. Her debut novel My Name Is Leon was an international bestseller, shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award, long-listed for the Desmond Elliott Prize and won the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year Award for 2017.

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