Ostrich Boys

Story

Following an unsatisfactory funeral Kenny, Sim and Blake ‘kidnap’ the urn containing the ashes of their friend Ross and set out on a journey from Cleethorpes to Ross to do something that Ross would have wanted. As they travel their discover things about themselves, their friendship and about Ross, his life and death.

Why we chose it

A thought provoking and honest story about friendship and the nature of grief, told with compassion and humour.

Where it came from

Keith Gray grew up in Grimsby. He wrote his first book Creepers at the age of 24. He says he writes books for the reluctant boy reader he once was. With Ostrich Boys he wanted to write about friendship between young men and about loss and its impact. In the interests of accuracy he went on the journey from Cleethorpes to Ross to be sure it could happen in the time he allowed.

Where it went next

Ostrich Boys was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award, the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Fiction Prize and the BookTrust Teen Prize.

It was adapted as a play by Carl Miller which premiered at The Belgrade Theatre Coventy in 2016.

Associated stories

Keith Gray has written a number of books for teenagers, including Warehouse (shortlisted for the Guardian Fiction Award), Malarky (shortlisted for the Booktrust Teenage Prize) and The Runner (winner of the Smarties Silver Medal). His most recent novels are You Killed Me (2013) and The Last Soldier (2015).