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When I Feel Red

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What to expect

'I feel like I'm always ... last. Like I'm running to try and keep up with everyone but it's no good.'

April has always marched to the beat of her own drum, but would life be easier if she learned to fit in? Now that she's in Year 8, things have got even worse. She's much more likely to be trying to rescue an animal in need than worrying about who's dating who at school, which April just finds BORING. Plus, her lessons feel like they're in a foreign language, and it suddenly seems impossible to make it through the week without landing in detention.

As family worries and classroom romances ramp up, it feels like everyone around her is pulling away - even her best friend Ben. But when the pressure's on, can she find a way to fit in and still be true to herself?

An empowering follow up to When I See Blue about finding your place in the world from the inspiring author and mental health activist, Lily Bailey. Perfect for fans of Elle McNicoll.

'An authentic and tender look at fitting in when you don't and being true to yourself' - A.M. Dassu
'This is a vivid account of being out of step with your peers, not limited to discussions about dyslexia and dyspraxia' - The Guardian
'April is one of the best main characters I've come across and you will root for her with your whole heart' - Jennifer Killick

Critics Review

An authentic and tender look at fitting in when you don't and being true to yourself.
A.M. Dassu
This is a vivid account of being out of step with your peers, not limited to discussions about dyslexia and dyspraxia.
The Guardian
April is one of the best main characters I've come across and you will root for her with your whole heart.
Jennifer Killick
An empowering story...I loved reading this book...the book helps the reader to understand the difficulties that other people may face and that we are not all the same. I would rate this book 5/5 and it is perfect for my age group (I am 11) I would 100% recommend reading it
Books Up North
I read Lily's first novel, When I Feel Blue in 2022 and was captivated...it was a delight to see that Lily had written a book about April...When I Feel Red is the perfect book to build anyone's empathy skills...It is a powerful, heart-warming read
K & O: Bonkers About Books blog
Author Lily Bailey
Narrator Siobhan Athwal
Duration 7 hours and 43 minutes
Release Date
ISBN 9781510112049
Format x-book®
Publisher Hachette Children's Group
Genre Children’s / Teenage fiction: Family and home stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Nature and animal stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: School stories
Availability AU, GB, IE

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