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  • Published: 30 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9780143782766
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $19.99

I Am Out With Lanterns




A beautiful novel about friendship, first love and the power of art to change lives.

One of us is in the dark.
One of us is a bully.
One of us wants to be understood.
One of us loves a girl who loves another.
One of us remembers the past as if it just happened.
One of us believes they’ve drawn the future.
But we’re all on the same map, looking for the same thing.

Year Ten begins with a jolt for best friends and neighbours Wren and Milo. Along with Hari, Juliet, Ben and Adie, they tell a story of friendship, family, wild crushes, bitter feuds, and the power of a portrait.

As their lives interwine, images could bring them together, and tear them apart.

FROM THE AUTHOR OF THE OTHER SIDE OF SUMMER

  • Published: 30 July 2018
  • ISBN: 9780143782766
  • Imprint: Random House Australia Children's
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 384
  • RRP: $19.99

About the author

Emily Gale

Emily Gale has been involved in the children’s book industry for twenty years: the first decade in London as an editor and freelance writer, and the latter in Melbourne as a reader and literary agent and a children's book buyer. She spent several happy years at Melbourne's award-winning bookstore Readings, during which time she was instrumental in establishing their Children’s Book Prize.

Emily’s writing includes Eliza Boom's Diary (2014), a duology for younger readers which has been published in several languages, as well as four novels for teenagers: Girl, Aloud (2009), Steal My Sunshine (2013) and The Other Side of Summer (2016) and its companion novel, I Am Out with Lanterns (2018). In 2017 The Other Side of Summer was shortlisted for the Victorian Premier’s Literary Awards (Writing for Young Adults) and the Aurealis Awards (Best Young Adult Novel).

Also by Emily Gale

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Praise for I Am Out With Lanterns

Glorious writing and brilliant characters you won’t want to leave behind

Cath Crowley

Emily Gale displays immense skill in weaving so many perspectives into a rich, effortless read ... Unapologetically feminist and utterly timely, this book will jump up the to-read lists of contemporary YA fans, and sits particularly well alongside such recent gems as Take Three Girls.

Jordi Kerr, Books + Publishing

These are characters that feel so real and familiar that as a reader you can’t help reflecting that they could be your friends, family or neighbours . . . This is OzYA at its best!

Natalie Platten, readings.com.au

It was beautifully written, the characters were incredibly well developed, it was a fast paced read with plenty of conflict, yet with a hopeful resolution.

alwaysandforeverreading.wordpress.com

I honestly can’t even begin to explain how perfect I Am Out With Lanterns is . . . What I loved most about I Am Out With Lanterns is how much of an accurate portrayal of teen life it is. We get to see it all—the quotidian, the shocking, the heart-wrenchingly beautiful—and that was what made this novel the spectacular read that it was . . . This is a book you need in your life.

writtenwordworlds.com

One of the most relatable books that I have ever come across . . . I got so sucked in that my heart was literally attached to this book . . . I love it.

Girlfriend IGTV

I Am Out with Lanterns is a great story for young teens and adults that will tug at your heart.

thebookishkirra.wordpress.com

Emily Gale's ability to create such believable and intriguing characters that make you sad to leave them is astonishing.

Sue Warren, losangzopa.wordpress.com

I Am Out with Lanterns explores contemporary themes of interest to lower and middle secondary students with authenticity and insight.

Nola Allen, Magpies

The theme of looking for oneself is richly woven through this stunning novel, along with themes of identity, friendships, family, diversity, multiculturalism and privilege. Multiple point of view novels can take time to settle into but in I Am Out With Lanterns, Gale had me emotionally invested in her characters and the narrative from the get-go. I silently cheered on Milo from start to finish, but each flawed and fabulous character was engaging and relatable, even those you were really probably meant to somewhat dislike. There is nothing better than a bunch of complex characters pulling you into their lives and allowing you, the reader, to walk in their shoes for a time.

Megan Daley, childrensbooksdaily.com

Wow, did I love this book . . . Told from multiple points of view by a host of damn-interesting characters with a mess-full of problems, it explores Australian culture and the toxic norms around sexuality and sexism. I dare you to walk away from this book without questioning those norms and feeling that something has to change. But, what’s also remarkable is that at the same time you will feel uplifted and a strong sense of hope.

Renee Mihulka, Reading Time

Awards & recognition

Inky Awards

Longlisted  •  2019  •  Gold Inky Award for an Australian Book

NSW Premier's Literary Awards

Shortlisted  •  2019  •  Ethel Turner Prize for Young People's Literature

WA Young Readers Book Award

Shortlisted  •  2020  •  Older Readers Award

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