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"

Children's Book Council: Spring 2024 Showcase: Reading List: Transformation

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

'A Middle-Grade chapter book that tackles the diverse topic of gender identity uniquely and magically.' – YA Books Central

'This Lonely Book has traveled with me so many places and I have pulled it out and shared it again and again so maybe it's a little less lonely.'  – Wandering Bookseller

'[An] emotional powerhouse of a book.'  – Reading with Red and the Magpie

'A beautiful and enchanting read.'  –  Square Books Round World

'Very cute and sweet! Annie’s love and care for her family and their home and the love her family had for each other was so heartwarming.' – NetGalley Librarian, 5 star review

'This book was so gentle--with the reader, with the characters, with the subject matter. Even though there was a deep ache for the "lonely" book to find it's reader, there was also deep comfort in the book. I've read pretty much everything by Meg Grehan and remain a fan.'  – NetGalley, 5 star review
 

'What a beautiful, magical story ... Gender identity and anxiety are areas with little representation in literature for this target age of 8-11 years old. This book is queer joy. You will laugh and cry and probably wish you could visit their magical bookstore yourself.
Highly recommend.' – NetGalley Librarian, 5 star review

'This is a book that will be enjoyed by readers of all ages.'  – Net Galley Educator, 5 star review

'This is a very sweet book that teaches children about gender identity in a very simple way.' – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review

'One of my favorite reads of the year. This heartwarming book about a magical bookstore reminds its readers just how important it is to love all that makes you you.'  – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review

'This book was so sweet! It was a perfect little slice-of-life book with a touch of magical realism and a touching story to boot. It's definitely not just a book for younger people, either. As a queer adult, I found reading this book to be incredibly fulfilling.'   – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review

'A book that is hard to put down once you open it. I think that this is a valuable book to have in any classroom or public library.'  – Goodreads/NetGalley Librarian, 5 star review

'Grehan’s writing style is lovely, and she captured Annie’s youthful and inquisitive spirit so nicely, and it was so clear how much love she held for her moms and Charlie, her older sibling ... It was truly a wonderful read.' – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review

'I absolutely loved this one. All of Meg Grehan’s books for young readers feel like a warm hug. They are lovely and compassionate tales that aim to include and empower young readers. I loved the subtle magic of the bookshop and the main character’s journey in supporting their sibling. Also love to see books in a two-mom household that mirror my future household. Will be recommending this one far and wide!'  – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review

'I loved The Deepest Breath, so I was super excited to read this one. It was very cute and easy to read, introducing the idea of a non-binary character in a way that young middle grade readers will be able to understand. I loved the representation of anxiety/selective mutism, queer families, and non-binary kids. The lightly magical bookshop setting was adorable.' – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review

'Oh I just loved this book. I loved the Deepest Breath so I knew I had to read this one as soon as I saw it. I was not disappointed at all. It was such an easy read. There was anxiety, queer families, and nonbinary rep. The magic was so cool. I cannot wait to read more by this author.'  – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review

'What a HEARTWARMING middle grade novel in verse ... Full of a great cast of queer characters (with an emphasis on a young non-binary child finding the courage to come out to their family), excellent mental health and disability rep (Annie has selective mutism, which manifests at times because of her anxiety) and a lovely magical realism element. I adored this book and know it will be a special one for young readers questioning their identities.'  – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review

'This book was so sweet! It was a perfect little slice-of-life book with a touch of magical realism and a touching story to boot. It's definitely not just a book for younger people, either. As a queer adult, I found reading this book to be incredibly fulfilling.'   – NetGalley Reviewer, 5 star review

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.