The Boy in the Suit

"A funny, tender, poignant debut with a believable, sympathetic protagonist." - The Guardian "Tender, truthful and touching." - The Times "A really lovely book, so tender and truthful." - Jacqueline Wilson, bestselling author of The Story of Tracy Beaker "Fox writes with great warmth and humour: his triumph is to turn this story of modern domestic strife into an uplifting read, with plenty of surprises en route." - Daily Telegraph "An urgent, nuanced book...[James Fox writes a] deceptively breezy tale of austerity and mental illness with deft compassion; would that real kids in Solo's battered shoe should be so lucky" - Observer "Addressing complex real-world issues (the cost-of-living crisis, mental health, friendship problems...) with honesty, clarity and compassion." - Teach Primary "Expect to have your heart broken and mended in one reading of this must-read novel." - Belfast Telegraph "A tender, moving story beautifully capturing life in all its light and shade" - Hannah Gold, author of Waterstones Children's Book Prize Winner The Last Bear "It is a beautiful, heartfelt gem of a book, I loved it." - Tom Vaughan, author of Hercules "This story is full to the brim with heart" - Helen Rutter, author of The Boy Who Made Everyone Laugh "Honest, funny and touching, Solo's story will stay with you long after the last page." - Lisa Williamson "A moving...and thought-provoking story" - Cath Howe, author of Ella on the Outside "Heart-wrenching and heart-warming." - Editor's choice, The School Librarian It's not easy to fit in when you're the boy in the suit... Ten-year-old Solo - embarrassingly, that isn't short for anything - just wants to be normal. He wants a name that doesn't stand out. He wishes he had a proper school uniform that fitted him. He dreams about a mum who doesn't get the Big Bad Reds , like his mum Morag. But most of all he longs to stop crashing funerals for the free food. But when Solo and Morag crash the funeral of a celebrity and get caught, the press are there to witness their humiliation. The next day it's splashed across the papers. Before Solo knows it, he becomes a viral sensation , and life may never be normal again. Solo's uphill pursuit of security, community and connection will break your heart and then mend it. Page-turning, moving, but ultimately life-affirming, this story is perfect for fans of The Boy at the Back of the Class, The Goldfish Boy, Wonder and Jacqueline Wilson. A sensitive, empathetic, timely portrayal of a family struggling during the cost of living crisis . This extraordinary debut will make you laugh and cry.