Barry Squires, Full Tilt, Heather Smith
Barry Squires, Full Tilt, Heather Smith
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Barry Squires, Full Tilt

Author: Heather Smith

Narrator: Irene Poole

Unabridged: 4 hr 23 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 11/17/2020


Synopsis

Barry Squires, Full Tilt takes readers on a romp through the streets of St. John's and into the Squires household, a place where tragedy strikes but love prevails. Derry Girls meets Billy Elliot with an East coast twist.

It's 1995. When the Full Tilt Dancers give an inspiring performance at the opening of the new bingo hall, twelve-year-old Finbar (Barry) Squires wants desperately to join the troupe. Led by Father O'Flaherty, the Full Tilt Irish Step Dancers are the most sought-after act in St. John's, Newfoundland (closely followed by popular bagpiper, Alfie Bragg and his Agony Bag). Having watched Riverdance twice, Barry figures he'll nail the audition. And good thing too -- it'd be nice to be known for something other than the port wine stain on his cheek. With questionable talent and an unpredictable temper, Barry's journey to stardom is jeopardized by his parents' refusal to take his dreams seriously. Thankfully, Barry has the support of a lively cast of characters: his ever-present grandmother, Nanny Squires; his adorable baby brother, Gord; an old British rocker named Uneven Steven; a group of geriatrics from the One Step Closer to God Nursing Home; and Saibal, a friend with whom Barry gets up to no good.

Told with humor and a healthy dose of irreverence, Barry Squires, Full Tilt is the latest novel by Heather Smith, the award-winning author of The Agony of Bun O’Keefe and Chicken Girl.

About The Author

HEATHER SMITH is originally from Newfoundland, and now lives in Waterloo, Ontario, with her husband and three children. Her east coast roots inspire much of her writing. Her novel, The Agony of Bun O'Keefe, won the Ontario Library Association's White Pine Award and the Ruth & Sylvia Schwartz Award, and was shortlisted for the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award and the Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction. It also received starred reviews from Kirkus and Quill & Quire and was named a best book by Kirkus, Bank Street College of Education, The Globe & Mail and Quill & Quire (honorable mention), as well as selected as an Outstanding International Book by USBBY (United States Board on Books for Young People). www.heathertsmith.com


Reviews

Goodreads review by Brithanie on September 06, 2020

4/5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐ e-ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. When I read the synopsis for Barry Squires, Full Tilt, I knew that it was going to be a book that I needed to have in my life; being from Newfoundland and struggling to find books that take place in the pr......more

Goodreads review by ~Silv (ilpianetadeilibri) on May 20, 2021

Sono stato indeciso fino all'ultimo sulla valutazione da dare a questo libro, ma alla fine ho optato per le 3 stelle. Devo dire che in realtà mi aspettavo qualcosa di completamente diverso. Quando ho visto la copertina di questo libro per ragazzi me ne sono innamorato all'istante, era semplice e d'im......more

Goodreads review by Ariel on December 24, 2020

Barry has a port wine birthmark on his face, an inexhaustible store of energy, aggression and chutzpah, probably ADHD, and a great desire to distinguish himself as something besides the guy with the thing on his face. He comes from a poor, very Irish family in Newfoundland, Canada, which may be why......more

Goodreads review by Kathy on December 24, 2020

An excellent perspective of a young Newfoundland boy as he deals with not getting what he wants, family issues, friendship, and loss. TW for: fatphobia, death of a loved one, mocking those with disfigurements, ableist language......more

Goodreads review by lizzie rose on August 14, 2021

The ending 😭 Highly recommend but be prepared to cry.......more


Quotes

One of the Globe and Mail’s Globe 100 Favorite Books of 2020
One of CBC Books' Best Middle-Grade and Young Adult Books of 2020
One of Canadian Children's Book News’ Best Books of 2020
One of the Ontario Library Association's 2020 Best Bets selection, Young Adult Fiction category

PRAISE FOR Barry Squires, Full Tilt:


“Barry’s quest for footloose fame instead takes him on a grand tour of humanity. . . . Offbeat, quirky, and full of heart.” —Kirkus Reviews

“[T]his is one foot-stompingly enjoyable, while also heart-rending, read.” —Quill & Quire


Awards

  • BMO Winterset Award
  • DUBLIN Literary Award
  • Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction for Young People
  • Snow Willow Award