Improbable Life of Ricky Bird, The

  2 Reviews

About to become a teenager, Ricky (Victoria) already has plenty going on, but now everything is changing. There's the move away from Brixton so her mum can be with her new partner, and on top of that, her six-year-old brother Ollie gets sick and ends up in hospital. Ricky’s exceptional imagination has always helped her get by, but now there is no ignoring real life.

Gripping, gritty and with the incomparable Ricky at its heart, this is an unforgettable coming-of-age story of resilience and vulnerability and the redemptive power of storytelling.

Comments from BDS Reviewers

"I could not put the book down. The characters were very compelling - and real."

"I enjoyed this book immensely. It's warm, relatable and a story to stay with you."

"An emotional read. It could have been depressing, but manages not to be."

"I enjoyed Ricky - she is fragile but tough."

"The reader sympathises with Ricky's dilemmas which build with each new predicament and the tension mounts."

"A realistic but sympathetic portrayal of a teenage girl reluctantly entering puberty."

"The characters are very real and you can relate to them and their surroundings."

"It's quite a gritty book, but is that a bad thing?"

Reviews

NELS 084

12-09-2023

Some felt this book should have had a "trigger warning" for some of the more disturbing content - death of a child, drugging and sexual abuse of a child. The jacket colour, art and blurb did nothing to portray the darker content. Having said that, the book provoked a good discussion. We enjoyed the way the author captured the voice of a confused 'tween/teen' who wanted to know what was going on but also still trying to enjoy her innocence and childhood. The reader was kept in suspense and uncertainty due to the main character's own confusion...

CHCH 537

29-06-2023

A brave book, an easy read and compelling story but some found it slightly unbelievable. Created interesting discussions around the table.