Lenny's Book of Everything

Book excerpt: WINNER: 2020 NSW Premier's Literary Awards, Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature WINNER: 2019 QLD Literary Awards, Griffith University Young Adult Book Award HONOUR BOOK: 2019 CBCA Book of the Year, Older Readers SHORT-LISTED: 2019 Prime Minister's Literary Award, Young Adult Fiction NOMINATED: 2020 CILIP Carnegie Medal Lenny, small and sharp, has a younger brother Davey who won't stop growing - and at seven is as tall as a man. Raised by their mother, they have food and a roof over their heads, but not much else. The bright spot every week is the arrival of the latest issue of the Burrell's Build-It-at-Home Encyclopedia. Through the encyclopedia, Lenny and Davey experience the wonders of the world - beetles, birds, quasars, quartz - and dream about a life of freedom and adventure. But as Davey's health deteriorates, Lenny realises that some wonders can't be named. A big-hearted novel about loving and letting go by a bestselling and multi-award-winning author. 'A gorgeous, heartbreaking and heartwarming book.' RJ Palacio, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Wonder 'Such a big heart and not a beat out of place.' Melina Marchetta, author of Looking For Alibrandi 'This bittersweet tale about heartbreak and healing has a sense of whimsy that never feels forced. Foxlee's writing is brimming with perfectly constructed moments that merge into a truly sensational, heart-wrenching read. This is the kind of book that makes a reader feel grateful it exists. 5/5 stars.' Books+Publishing