The Things We Leave Behind

<B>* Winner of the Southern Schools Book Awards 2025, shortlisted for the UKLA Books Prize 2025 and the Carnegie Medal 2025. </B><BR/><BR/><B><I>How I Live Now</I> meets <I>Exodus</I> – a startling YA dystopia that imagines London as the epicentre of the refugee crisis, from critically acclaimed author Clare Furniss.</B><BR/><BR/><B>‘Compulsive, poignant YA dystopia’ <I>The Guardian</I><BR/> ‘An exquisite, devastating read’ <I>The Irish Times</I><BR/> ‘Genuinely moving’ <I>Daily Mail</I><BR/> ‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia <I>Prophet Song</I>, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ <I>Just Imagine</I></B><BR/><BR/> Civil unrest in London has reached an all-time high after years of a growing authoritarian regime, and it’s no longer safe for Clem and her half-sister Billie in the city. Clem tells of their treacherous journey to Scotland, by road and then by sea, fleeing with nothing but a notebook filled with stories and memories of home. But is there something Clem's not saying? And how will this journey – and the sisters’ story – end? With the start of a new life? Or a mirror held up to the past?<BR/><BR/><B>PRAISE FOR <I>THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND</I>:</B><BR/> ‘Remarkable. A frighteningly relevant and moving novel, told with impeccable style. Clare Furniss is one of the very best writers for young people and this new novel is her finest yet. I loved it.’ Sarah Crossan, author of <I>Where The Heart Should Be</I><BR/>  <BR/> ‘Beautifully written, page-turning in the extreme, and deep and person and global’ A.F. Harrold, author of T<I>he Imaginary </I>and <I>The Worlds We Leave Behind</I><BR/>  <BR/> ‘I couldn’t stop reading The Things We Leave Behind… Devastating and unsparing but full of hope and love too. It was a privilege to read it.’ Candy Gourlay, author of <I>Wild Song</I><BR/>  <BR/> ‘This book is exceptional… Years and Years meets The End We Start From for teenagers. Should be on every secondary set text list.’ Joanna Nadin, author of <I>A Calamity of Mannerings</I><BR/>  <BR/> ‘Gripping, moving, tense, twisty and very, very necessary… It all felt so utterly real and terrifyingly possible.’ Lisa Williamson, author of Th<I>e Art of Being Normal </I><BR/>  <BR/> ‘Such moving, thought-provoking, compelling story-telling. Wonderful characters. Utterly convincing. I loved it.’ Julia Green, author of <I>Ettie and the Midnight Pool</I><BR/><BR/> ‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ <I>Just Imagine</I><BR/><BR/><BR/><B>PRAISE FOR CLARE FURNISS:</B><BR/><BR/> ‘Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read’  <B>Malorie Blackman</B>, author of <I>Noughts & Crosses</I> <BR/>  <BR/> ‘Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable’ <B>Robin Stevens</B>, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series <BR/><BR/> ‘Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful’ <I>Sunday Times </I><BR/><BR/> ‘A beautifully executed story . . . gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph’ <I>Daily Mail</I><BR/>  <BR/> ‘Beautifully written’<I> Stylist</I><BR/><BR/><BR/>