Other editions of book River Boy

Grandpa is dying. He can barely move his hands any more but, stubborn as ever, refuses to stay in hospital. He's determined to finish his last painting, River Boy, before he goes. At first Jess can't understand his refusal to let go, but then she too becomes involved in the mysterious painting. And when she meets the river boy himself, she finds she is suddenly caught up in a challenge of her own that she must complete - before it's too late...

She didn't know how fast the current was moving her. It could take many more hours yet, perhaps more hours than she had the strength for. But she must not stop. She must keep going. She must try to catch the river boy, even though she was frightened at the thought of what he was. Jess's beloved grandfather has just had a serious heart attack, but he insists that the family travel as planned to his boyhood home on the river so that he can finish his painting, River Boy. As Jess helps her ailing grandpa with his work, she becomes entranced by the scene he is painting. Then she becomes aware of a strange presence in the river -- a boy who asks for her help and issues a challenge that will stretch her swimming talents to their very limit. Jess knows that Grandpa and the river boy are connected, but how? Can she take up the river boy's challenge before it's too late for Grandpa? Tim Bowler's gripping narrative flows like a river itself -- gentle and calm at times, turbulent and deep at others, always fluid, always alive. Readers will be swept along by the magic of the river and the mysterious river boy -- and changed forever by Jess's unforgettable journey.

Fifteen-year-old Jess's grandfather has just had a major heart attack, but he insists he finish his painting, River Boy. At first, Jess cannot understand why this painting is so important to her grandfather, especially since there doesn't seem to be any boy in it at all. But while swimming in the river herself, Jess begins to feel the presence of a strange boy. Could this be the same one her ailing grandfather struggles to paint? And if so, why has he returned?

A new mass-market edition of this Carnegie Medal-winner.One of the classic teenage novels of the nineties, "River Boy" is an emotional, moving book which has had a profound influence on its readers. Following the story of Jess's dying grandfather, and the marathon river swim Jess becomes caught up in, it uses poetic and surreal images of water andswimming to deal with the difficult subjects of death and loss in an accessible and affecting way.* Winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Angus Book Prize* A moving poetic exploration of grief and loss.* Internationally successful - foreign rights have so far been sold to America, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Poland and Portugal. A film option has been agreed.* New cover treatment to match Tim Bowler's wonderful new novel, "Storm Catchers".* Author was born and brought up in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, and now lives in Totnes, Devon.