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Description
CCBC’s Best Books for Kids & Teens (Fall 2015) - Commended
Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser searches for her mother, who has gone missing shortly after the two moved to London, England, to escape Edie’s abusive father.
Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school — she’s in a different country.
Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn’t come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them.
Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she’ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life.
Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser searches for her mother, who has gone missing shortly after the two moved to London, England, to escape Edie’s abusive father.
Is it possible to outrun your past? Fifteen-year-old Edie Fraser and her mother, Sydney, have been trying to do just that for five years. Now, things have gone from bad to worse. Not only has Edie had to move to another new school — she’s in a different country.
Sydney promises her that this is their chance at a fresh start, and Edie does her best to adjust to life in London, England, despite being targeted by the school bully. But when Sydney goes out to work the night shift and doesn’t come home, Edie is terrified that the past has finally caught up with them.
Alone in a strange country, Edie is afraid to call the police for fear that she’ll be sent back to her abusive father. Determined to find her mother but with no idea where to start, she must now face the most difficult decision of her life.
Author Bio
Mary Jennifer Payne is a graduate of the Humber School for Writers' Summer Workshop in Creative Writing and the author of many books for young people including the Daughters of Light series, Enough and Since You've Been Gone which received a Quill & Quire starred review. Her writing has been published in journals, anthologies and magazines in Canada and abroad. She works as a special education teacher and lives in Toronto.
Prizes
- CCBC's Best Books for Kids & Teens (Fall 2015), 2015Commended 2015
Review Quotes
“This Canadian import makes for a quick, exciting read.”
— Booklist (Chicago, IL)
“This is a splendid book, full of mystery, adventure, and love.”
— McNallyRobinson.com
“Since You’ve Been Gone is fast-paced and compelling … [the book] will appeal to anyone who likes realistic contemporary stories about youth facing difficult circumstances.”
— Canadian Materials
“…the unflinching portrayal of Edie’s experience (and well-earned anger) is what makes her story so believable. The author manages to create a feeling of adventure while still respecting the pain and stress [Edie] is undergoing…this is fresh, tough writing that meets young readers where they live.”
— Quill & Quire (starred review)
Biographical note
Mary Jennifer Payne’s writing has been published in journals, anthologies, and magazines in Canada and abroad. She is the author of several YA graphic novels. Since You’ve Been Gone is her first YA novel. She teaches with the Toronto District School Board and lives in Toronto.
