Little, Brown Book Group

When Patience Ibrahim's husband died, she feared that her life was over. She had prayed every night for a baby to complete her family, and suddenly she found herself a nineteen-year-old widow, alone in the world.

How did the delphinium get its name? Which parts of the body lend their names to auriculas and orchids? Who are the gentian, lobelia and heuchera named after? Why are nasturtiums and antirrhinums connected?

GUARDIAN MUST READ BOOKS OF 2019 FINANCIAL TIMES BOOKS TO READ 2019 NEW STATESMAN MUST READS 2019

GUARDIAN MUST READ BOOKS OF 2019 FINANCIAL TIMES BOOKS TO READ 2019 NEW STATESMAN MUST READS 2019

Living on the South Crongton council estate has its worries. Poor McKay. He never asked for trouble ...But during one madcap night of adventure and danger, he will find out who his true friends are and what it means to stick with your family.

'What a remarkable book this is; tender, funny, brave, heartfelt, radiant with love and life. It brought me often to laughter and - several times - to tears. It sings with joy and kindness' Robert Macfarlane

'The essential hormone handbook . . . it should be made part of the core curriculum up and down the land' STYLIST 'Both fascinating and a huge relief' GRAZIA

The remarkable poems and letters written by a young boy display a perception beyond his years and, in the letters, a wicked sense of humour. Poignantly, Johnnie died in 2004 at the age of 17 and his writings are edited here by his mother.