Shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award 2015.
Sophie Nieuwenleven’s story is shocking, so she tells it in the only way she can – in code, using random code worms to keep any nubby parkers on their togs. Sophie’s parents have been keeping massive secrets from her, and her dad in particular has much to confess. With help from unexpected places and people, Sophie is able to work things out and rebuild her life. This is a highly original coming of age story, different, interesting, very funny. Despite the singularity of Sophie’s story, it will speak to everyone about identity and working out who you really are. Sophie’s code gives the text a kind of poetry, and the story has a pace and momentum that will keep readers turning pages. ~ Andrea Reece
Costa Judges' comment: “A pacy, exuberant story full of wit and charm.”
This is a remarkable tale of confusion and betrayal - and a very special girl called Sophie.'Some stories are hard to tell. Even to your very best friend. And some words are hard to get out of your mouth. Because they spell out secrets that are too huge to be spoken out loud. But if you bottle them up, you might burst. So here's my story. Told the only way I dare tell it.'Sophie Nieuwenleven is sort of English and sort of Belgian. Sophie and her family came to live in Belgium when she was only four or five years old, but she's fourteen now and has never been quite sure why they left England in the first place. Then, one day, Sophie makes a startling discovery. Finally Sophie can unlock the mystery of who she really is. This is a story about identity and confusion - and feeling so utterly freaked out that you just can't put it into words. But it's also about hope. And the belief that, somehow, everything will work out Ok. Sophie Someone is a tale of well-intentioned but stupid parenting, shock, acceptance and, ultimately, forgiveness, written in a brave, memorable and unique language all of its own.
Hayley Long lives in Norwich with her husband and a rabbit called Irma. Sometimes she is an English teacher, and the rest of the time she writes novels. They're the sort of novels which will make you laugh a bit and then make you feel sad a bit and then make you laugh again. Sort of like this: hahahaBOOHOOhahaha. Hayley also likes biscuits.
