In twelve sleeps’ time it will be my birthday (don’t ask how old I am!); in fourteen sleeps’ it will be the Jubilee, but – most excitingly – in thirteen sleeps ‘Pop!’ hits the bookstores and I’m getting all giddy about it!
It’s ever so nice of the dear old Queen to be throwing a Bank Holiday in honour of ‘Pop!’ coming out, and I like the idea of the nation stringing bunting out of their windows to celebrate my little old booky-wook!
And Pop! is ever so topical this summer: Oil Refinery strikes, kids with Olympic dreams and Talent TV – it’s a hilarious and heartbreatking look at the impact of recession on UK children.
And it’s already getting rave reviews. ‘The Bookseller’ said, ‘Bruton proves herself a real rising star with this poignant, funny and very readable tale of three teenagers pursuing the talent show dream in the recession-hit North West. Wonderful contemporary storytelling with characters who really get under your skin ‘Pop!’ is ‘Billy Elliot’ meets ‘The X Factor’ via ‘Shameless’.’
And Guardian reviewer Anthony McGowan, who recently described me as, ‘One of the finest teen writers of recent years,’ kindly said, ‘ ‘We can be Heroes’ was a superb first novel but if anything I like ‘Pop!’ even more… beautiful, beautiful writing’
Eek – squeak! Only thirteen sleeps to go! I can’t wait!