Boy Underwater

Adam Baron is the author of five successful novels and has, in his time, been an actor, comedian, journalist and press officer at Channel 4 television (as well as things he's too embarrassed to mention). He now runs the widely respected MA in Creative Writing at Kingston University London. Adam lives in Greenwich, South London, with his wife and three young children. He wrote Boy Underwater (his first novel aimed at younger readers) because they told him to. While still in the flush of youth he knows what his final words are going to be: 'clear the table'.

'An absolute corker of a tale, whose delicate themes - mental health, missing loved ones - are handled with fluid grace' Observer

'This poignant novel is about love and loss, but, told from the viewpoint of a child too young to grasp all that grown-ups do, it is also funny. With evocative monochrome illustrations, it bears you up as soon as you plunge in' Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week

'Involving and wryly funny, full of tenderness, eccentricity and intriguing meditations on the function of art, this story of grief, depression and the different facets of identity is well-served by Benji Davies's thoughtful illustrations' Guardian

'The witty humour and dialogue are the perfect foil to the unresolved grief and anxiety that underpin this impressive debut' Daily Mail

'Adam Baron has a light touch and brings humour to difficult subjects. So, why not come in? The water's lovely' The Times Children's Book of the Week

'Baron's children's debut is funny and easygoing, complemented by lively black-and-white illustrations from Davies' Publishers Weekly

'Adam Baron has successfully maintained a delicate balance between comedy and tragedy and there are scenes that will have children laughing aloud, as well as others that will leave many readers in tears'
Books for Keeps, Children's Book of the Week

'Boy Underwater is one of those rare books that manages to be both very funny and heartbreakingly sad' LoveReading4Kids