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How to Be Me

Book Synopsis

A beautiful, moving story of family, friendship and self-discovery.

Super rich. Super shy. Super lonely.

Lucas is all alone.

Since his mum died, Lucas and his dad don’t seem to understand each other at all – it’s almost as if they’re speaking different languages. With a long, hot summer facing him, Lucas is dreading the drama club that his dad has signed him up for – he doesn’t know how to be around new people and he can’t stand performing. But the people Lucas meets at the club force him to open up and start talking, and when disaster strikes, Lucas is forced to step in and help. Can his new-found friends teach Lucas how to be himself?

Filled with empathy and insight, and sensitively touching on issues including grief, anxiety, loneliness with great understanding and an incredible lightness of touch, How to be Me is a kind, heartwarming, and uplifting story, from the author of the high-acclaimed novels Ella on the Outside and Not My Fault – perfect for fans of Jacqueline Wilson and Lisa Thompson.

Our Review Panel says...

Cath Howe is rapidly establishing her trademark as the go-to author for accessible stories of children struggling with contemporary life for one reason or another. After Ella on the Outside (bullying, secrets) and Not My Fault (sibling rivalry, guilt), How to be Me explores a range of issues including the death of a parent and a pet, new stepparents, and being the square peg that does not fit into the round hole your family would like you to.
How to be Me is a deceptively easy read, with short chapters, uncomplicated vocabulary and wide-spaced text. It explores important themes with a lightness of touch that belies its empathetic approach and depth of feeling, and Cath Howe’s deft touch with relatable characters reels you in and the book will, I imagine, be passed from hand to hand by Year 4-6 eagerly…

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