Asking for a Friend

Shortlisted for the Redhill Academy Trust Book Award 2021

Shortlisted for the Oxfordshire Book Award 2021

Shortlisted for the Portsmouth Book Award 2021 (longer novel)

Longlisted for the Amazing Book Award 2021

Asking for a Friend is feel-good contemporary fiction, perfect for 11-14 year olds

I’m thrilled that my second book, Asking for a Friend, is out! If you enjoyed Summer of No Regrets, you’ll love Asking for a Friend. I hope you love getting to know Agnes, Hattie and Jake.

’Kate really is a master of friendships … her books are like little pockets of comfort. It’s so nice to just read and feel good for a little while.’

Yasmin Rahman

So what’s it about?

Asking for a Friend is a feel-good friendship story following three school friends over the Easter holidays as they confront their fears, including loneliness, fear of illness and social media bullying, in a character-driven story about valuing the friends who value you.

Agnes, Hattie and Jake travel on the school bus together, but don’t know each other well. They plan a week in Weston-super-Mare, as a ‘study break’ before exams, but none of them admit the real reasons they need to get away. Agnes must find her sister. Hattie can’t bear being home now all her friends have ghosted her and Jake is afraid he’s ill and has absolutely no idea how to tell anyone. In one amazing week, they’ll risk their lives, face their fears and find themselves.

Firefly editor Janet Thomas says: ‘We are so excited to have a new book from Kate on the Firefly Press list. Asking for a Friend is a hugely entertaining, character-driven story about how friends can be found in surprising places, and how they can help you face your greatest fears.’

‘A joyful, heartwarming story about unlikely friendships and the importance of being kind. I loved it.’

Katy Birchall

‘A touching and immensely satisfying story about finding true friendship.’

Sue Wallman

Where can I get my hands on a copy?

You can order it from all the usual book buying places (Independent bookshops, Waterstones, Amazon) but you can also order direct from Firefly Press.

You can request it at your local library.

If you’re a book blogger, get in contact with Firefly Press to get a review copy.