* Winner of the Southern Schools Book Awards 2025, shortlisted for the UKLA Books Prize 2025 and the Carnegie Medal 2025.
How I Live Now meets Exodus a startling YA dystopia that imagines London as the epicentre of the refugee crisis, from critically acclaimed author Clare Furniss.
?'';Compulsive, poignant YA dystopia'' The Guardian
'';An exquisite, devastating read'' The Irish Times
'';Genuinely moving'' Daily Mail
'';Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff''s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch''s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment'' Just Imagine
Civil unrest in London has reached an all-time high after years of a growing authoritarian regime, and it''s no longer safe for Clem and her half-sister Billie in the city. Clem tellsof their treacherousjourneyto Scotland, by road and then by sea, fleeing with nothing but a notebook filled with stories and memories of home. But is theresomethingClem''s notsaying? And how will thisjourney and the sisters'' story end? With the start of a new life? Or a mirror held up to the past?
PRAISE FOR THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND:
'';Remarkable. A frighteningly relevant and moving novel, told with impeccable style. Clare Furniss is one of the very best writers for young people and this new novel is her finest yet. I loved it.'' Sarah Crossan, author of Where The Heart Should Be
'';Beautifully written, page-turning in the extreme, and deep and person and global'' A.F. Harrold, author of The Imaginary and The Worlds We Leave Behind
'';I couldn''t stop reading The Things We Leave Behind Devastating and unsparing but full of hope and love too. It was a privilege to read it.'' Candy Gourlay, author of Wild Song
'';This book is exceptional Years and Years meets The End We Start From for teenagers. Should be on every secondary set text list.'' Joanna Nadin, author of A Calamity of Mannerings
'';Gripping, moving, tense, twisty and very, very necessary It all felt so utterly real and terrifyingly possible.'' Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal
'';Such moving, thought-provoking, compelling story-telling. Wonderful characters. Utterly convincing. I loved it.'' Julia Green, author of Ettie and the Midnight Pool
'';Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff''s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch''s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment'' Just Imagine
PRAISE FOR CLARE FURNISS:
'';Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read'' Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts & Crosses
'';Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable'' Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series
'';Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful'' Sunday Times
'';A beautifully executed story . . . gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph''Daily Mail
'';Beautifully written'' Stylist
