Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist (KelpiesEdge)

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The greatest writing hurdle was to find humour in pain whilst retaining emotion so that anyone experiencing similar feelings might find solace. Creativity helped me but the journey was not without agonies. Writing brings escape but it also exposes emotions and when someone reads any narrative it becomes their own and they’ll never understand it the way you do. That’s the beauty of script and the beast. Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Former library book; may include library markings. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects. Condition: Very Good. Ships from the UK. Used book that is in excellent condition. May show signs of wear or have minor defects.

Connor Lambert is 15, lives on a tiny island in Scotland, and has the typical teen issues. Sure he’s crushing on his best “girl friend,” Emma, and he has daily run-ins with the school bully, Skeates. But Connor is definitely NOT your average teen. His sister died, and his dad’s in prison (although his mom refuses to let him visit or even tell him why his dad’s been incarcerated for the last 9 years). Oh, and he has cancer. But when things turn really weird, it is Skeates he ends up running away with – although not in a romantic way. Connor’s father is in jail, his mum temporarily ill, and his sister died years ago. And he has cancer. Skeates decides they should try and visit Connor’s dad in jail, so they embark on a truly crazy, but also inspirational, trip across the Scottish Highlands towards Glasgow.

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Terminally ill Connor Lambert sets off on a crazy tour across Scotland dodging the police, joy riding and looking for answers When American Medical student’s surprise inheritance threatens her life she must fight for survival while trapped on a remote Irish island. I normally dislike books about dying teens, but this one had me feeling all the feels. I laughed (often), my heart raced during the get-aways, and yes, I even cried. Real tears! The last time a book made me cry was . . . well, I can’t exactly remember, but it was a long time ago. The real beauty of this book is that it’s about two boys on an adventure who form an unlikely alliance and “never give up.” John Young is a writer who is originally from Belfast and lives in Edinburgh. A former lawyer, he helped to found The Teapot Trust, a children's art therapy charity, with his wife Laura. He was a Scottish Book Trust New Writer Award winner in 2013. Press Articles Douglas Johnstone is a writer and freelance journalist, based in Edinburgh. Originally from Arbroath, he studied physics at University, and has a PhD in experimental nuclear physics. Johnstone spent four years designing radar and missile guidance syste …

But there are no wolves on the island - not since they were hunted to extinction, centuries ago. He decides to investigate his island home and accepts an ancient challenge: he who jumps the Bonnie Laddie's Leap wins a fortune.

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I truly enjoyed this book, the characters were very loveable and interesting. I laughed a lot, cried a bit too.

Not only is Farewell Tour of Terminal Optimist on the shortlist for Cheshire Schools Book Awards - it is off for a reprint already! KelpiesEdge publish Scottish books with attitude. Big sister to DiscoverKelpies and imprint of indie publisher Floris Books, based in Edinburgh. After a particularly painful bout of bullying in physics lab, Connor and Skeates both end up in the hospital. Connor's mom is out of the picture, and without anyone to care for him, he ends up in Dachaigh House - an institution for violent youths - with Skeates. Dun, dun, dun! Blog and Tweets Latest Blog: Farewell Tour of a Terminal Optimist shortlisted for the Cheshire Schools Book Awards!

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Despite their former rivalry, Connor and Skeates form an alliance and set out on a road trip (of sorts) to see Connor’s dad in prison with a little money and without Connor’s seven medications he takes twice a daily to keep his cancer at bay.