15 Days Without a Head

Fifteen-year-old Laurence Roach just wants a normal life, but its far from easy with his little brother who acts like a dog and their depressed alcoholic mother. If Laurence can win the luxury vacation in a local radio contest, hes certain his mum will finally be happy again. Then one night she doesnt come home from work, and Laurence must face the reality that she might not come back at all. Terrified that child services will separate him from his brother, Laurence does whatever he can to keep their mothers disappearance a secret. For two weeks, he spins a web of complicated lies to friends, neighbors, and the authoritieseven dressing up in his mothers clothes to convince everyone shes still around. But Laurence cant hide the truth forever. He begins a desperate search for her, and thats when the real trouble starts in this powerful story about family, forgiveness, and hope. Praise:Incredible lightness of touch and humour, but also seriously weightyreminded me a lot of Frank Cottrell Boyce.Anthony McGowan, author of The Knife that Killed Me ""A teenager holds his crumbling family life together in this finely crafted debut that strikes a delicate balance between humor and pathos.""Kirkus Reviews