"The Bower Bird", winner of the Costa Children's Book Award 2007, continues the story of Gussie, a precocious young girl diagnosed with a rare heart condition. Despite this, she is determined to live life to the fullest, experiencing typical adolescent problems such as love and parent troubles. While never complaining, she offers a direct and honest insight about herself and the world around her, in a story which is poignant, charming, and oddly optimistic.

 

This book was recognised by the The Whitbread Award, now called 'The Costa Book Awards'. These are a set of annual literary awards recognising English-language books by writers based in Britain and Ireland. They were inaugurated for 1971 publications and known as the Whitbread Book Awards until 2006 when Costa Coffee, then a subsidiary of Whitbread, took over sponsorship.

There are 208 pages in this book. This book was published 2008 by Luath Press Ltd .

Ann Kelley is a prize-winning poet and photographer, and has previously published books in both these categories. The second book in the series, The Bower Bird , won the 2007 Costa Children's Book Award. Ann Kelley currently lives in Cornwall with her husband and numerous cats.