Broken Soup

An intriguing, compelling and moving novel from the award-winning author of Finding Violet Park.

When the good-looking boy with the American accent presses the dropped negative into Rowan's hand, she's sure it's all a big mistake. But next moment he's gone, lost in the crowd of bustling shoppers. And she can't afford to lose her place in the checkout queue – after all, if she doesn't take the groceries home, nobody else will.

Rowan has more responsibilities than most girls her age. These days, she pretty much looks after her little sister single-handedly – which doesn't leave much time for friends or fun. So when she finds out that Bee from school saw the whole thing, it piques her curiosity. Who was the boy? Why was he so insistent that the negative belonged to Rowan?

Reviews

Praise for Jenny Valentine:

‘Valentine has the essential storyteller's gift of making you want to read on – and to know more even after the book is finished.’ Guardian

‘The award-winning Valentine has a keen eye for the idiosyncrasies of young children, and the rhythms of family life.’ The Bookseller

‘[Valentine] has a wonderful ability to take readers right into the hearts and souls of her central characters, and reading her is always a truly vicarious experience.’ The Bookbag

Praise for Broken Soup

“…a life-affirming, witty, romantic read, about freedom, responsibility and love.” – Sunday Times, Culture

‘delicately written … A solid tale of what it takes to grow up and how to ask for help.’ Publishers Weekly

“Valentine’s appeal lies in conveying life and hope.” – The Times

“…a very funny and sad story about what really makes a family, and how we can lose our common sense in times of crisis and find it again through love.” – The Daily Mail

“Beautifully written and emotionally sure, this is unputdownable and should keep even the most moany teenager quiet until it’s finished.” – The Independent

About the author

Jenny Valentine is an award-winning writer for Young Adults. Her first novel Finding Violet Park won the Guardian prize in 2007 and since then she has written six more, including Broken Soup and Fire Colour One, as well as Iggy and Me, a series for younger children. Her work has been published in 19 countries and Hello Now, her latest YA novel, was published in the UK and US in April 2020. In 2017 she was the Hay Festival International Fellow, spending the year meeting and learning from teenagers all over the world. She works to empower and give a voice to young people. She lives all over the place and has two daughters.