The Wrong Shoes
For ages 9+
A powerful, punch of a book that's unputdownable, relatable, grows empathy, and speaks to struggles going on in playgrounds and school corridors everywhere.
By Tom Percival (Simon & Schuster, 2024)
I had the privilege of being in the presence of author:illustrator Tom Percival recently as he spoke to myself and a number of others in the Children's publishing industry at Simon & Schuster, publishers based in London. Those who are familiar with his work - particularly the Big Bright Feelings series and who maybe have attended events with him over the years will know that Tom had some difficult times growing up, particularly with poverty. What he does juxtapose this when recounting memories, is that he may have not lived in a bricks and mortar house, but he did live in the most incredible countryside, surrounded by the magical and nurturing distraction of Mother Nature herself.
It is with this #ownvoices approach to writing his debut middle grade novel, that Tom introduces us to Will, or Poundland as the bully squad refers to him as. Gentle this story isn't, for readers are sucked into Will's life, perhaps on the whole, less prepared than him, less resilient than him after going through his parents separating, his dad losing his job due to an accident at work - now depressed, and there isn't much money about. Meals aren't 3 times a day most days. Heating isn't a daily norm… and new school shoes, let alone the latest Nikes costing hundreds of £s like his best friend Cameron has, aren't on the cards for almost a year.
I read this in one sitting, the black & white almost-manga style strip illustrations are impactful together with the larger text, lines more spaced apart, the feeling that this is a book, just by looking at the pages themselves, is one anyone can tackle. The reader becomes one with Will, rooting for him, feeling sad or angry with him, feeling scared, or even guilty with him. Inevitably the poverty and Will's sense of responsibility to look out for his dad (who gets in difficulty with a local loan shark) means that he makes some bad choices in a moment of desperation… why is it so easy to do the wrong thing, choose the wrong path to survive? However, keeping his head, knowing his heart and wanting/hoping/needing life to get better for him and his family, this is a good kid, a great kid, and there are so many like him who are heroes - who don't give up even when the adults around them are crap, but they love them and they're all they've got in the world to belong to and make proud.
I love the use of Will's love to listening to music on his headphones (even the introduction of an old walkman at one point into the story), music is Will's escape and he loves it, just like his art - he's brilliant at art - and these escapes and gifts are vital comfort to him throughout his ordeals.
Children are utterly amazing the way they can pick themselves back up again, and hopefully if a child reads/listens this unforgettable story and they're having a really tough time in the moment too, 'The Wrong Shoes' might just be pivotal… things will get better, don't give up hope.
This is a powerful, punch of a book that's unputdownable, relatable, grows empathy, and speaks to struggles going on in playgrounds and school corridors everywhere.
Praise
‘An extraordinary, powerful and moving book that has the potential to change lives.’ Hannah Gold
‘Every chapter is full of experience & empathy & most importantly, heart’ Phil Earle
‘Reading fiction is about walking in the shoes of people whose lives are very different to ours and allowing more readers to see themselves in stories. The Wrong Shoes is the perfect example of both – the right book at the right time’ Tom Palmer
‘A brilliant book – such a perfect marriage of words and illustrations and an important story told with real heart’ Christopher Edge
‘A hopeful, honest, big-hearted read. You’ll be rooting for the main character, Will, from the very first page . . . ’ Clara Vulliamy
‘A beautifully illustrated, deeply moving, empathy-boosting story . . .’ Rashmi Sirdeshpande
‘A superbly courageous and timely book. Will is a protagonist so many children and adults will identify with, really beautiful’ Steven Lenton
Ad - uncorrected proof review copy provided by the publisher
