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.