Becoming Dinah

In her debut YA novel, Kit de Waal explores themes of identity,escape,and self-discovery through the story of a teenage girl who hitchhikes across the country in a VW campervan. The novel confronts traditional narratives and empowers its young protagonist.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 11 July 2019
Publisher: Hachette Children's Group

Seventeen-year-old Dinah needs to leave her home,the weird commune where she grew up. She needs a whole new identity,starting with how she looks,starting with shaving off her hair,her crowning glory. She has to do it quickly,because she has to go now. Dinah was going to go alone and hitch a ride down south. Except,she ends up being persuaded to illegally drive a VW campervan for hundreds of miles,accompanied by a grumpy man with one leg. This wasn t the plan. But while she s driving,Dinah will be forced to confront everything that led her here,everything that will finally show her which direction to turn. She s going to have to make some tough decisions,some sacrifices,and some hard choices. But she s also going to find a way to escape her past,to find a new life,and to find herself. The road ahead is going to be long and difficult,but Dinah is determined to make it. She s going to find a way to make her dreams come true,no matter what it takes. In her first YA novel,Costa-shortlisted author Kit de Waal responds to the classic Moby Dick with entirely new characters,a VW campervan,and by tearing the power away from obsessive Captain Ahab and giving it to a teenage girl who s determined to find a new life,far away from her unconventional upbringing. An emotionally charged book - Daily Mail Fresh and defiantly original ... what a beautiful book - Sarah Moore Fitzgerald An emotional coming of age tale of escape,mission,and ultimately,self-knowledge - The Big Issue Seventeen-year-old Dinah needs to leave her home,the weird commune where she grew up. She needs a whole new identity,starting with how she looks,starting with shaving off her hair,her crowning glory. She has to do it quickly,because she has to go now. Dinah was going to go alone and hitch a ride down south. Except,she ends up being persuaded to illegally drive a VW campervan for hundreds of miles,accompanied by a grumpy man with one leg. This wasn t the plan. But while she s driving,Dinah will be forced to confront everything that led her here,everything that will finally show her which direction to turn. She s going to have to make some tough decisions,some sacrifices,and some hard choices. But she s also going to find a way to escape her past,to find a new life,and to find herself. The road ahead is going to be long and difficult,but Dinah is determined to make it. She s going to find a way to make her dreams come true,no matter what it takes. In her first YA novel,Costa-shortlisted author Kit de Waal responds to the classic Moby Dick with entirely new characters,a VW campervan,and by tearing the power away from obsessive Captain Ahab and giving it to a teenage girl who s determined to find a new life,far away from her unconventional upbringing. An emotionally charged book - Daily Mail Fresh and defiantly original ... what a beautiful book - Sarah Moore Fitzgerald An emotional coming of age tale of escape,mission,and ultimately,self-knowledge - The Big Issue

Weight: 210g
Dimension: 193 x 146 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781510105706