Fossils

by Alison Armstrong

When twelve-year-old Sherrie-Lee witnesses a failed bank robbery in her neglected town, she seizes an opportunity to claim a new identity for herself. Escaping her troubled home life, she tries out a new name and invents stories and personas to cover her tracks.

Sherrie-Lee finds both possibility and loneliness in this new freedom, as well as an unusual friendship which she nurtures. But harsh realities close in, and she’s plagued with foreboding – from her vulnerable brother at home to the climate crisis. While she dreams of a kinder world, it won’t be long before her own deceits start catching up with her.

This arresting debut challenges assumptions and captures the powerless yearning of adolescence with a voice that is fresh, magnetic and often funny – one that pulls you in and won’t let go.

250 pages, Paperback

Published April 21, 2022

Reviews

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

blisteringly brilliant debut from Armstrong which is beautifully written, and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it.

The book moves at a slow pace, any faster would ruin the rhythm, which makes makes the story what it is.

Very much a character driven read, and Sherri-Lee was was such a fun, flawed character, her story telling exaggerated, yet relatable in a way; I have recollections of doing this when I was younger.

Fossils is a highly enjoyable, entertaining read and I would highly recommend.

Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)

[Greenreadsbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fossils, by Alison Armstrong focuses on the main character,  12 year old Sherrie-Lee who lives with her emotionally absent mum, older sister Grace and younger brother Joshy. Lacking a real mother figure, Grace does what she can to help but isn't very kind and Joshy who is autistic spends his days in front of the TV. Sherrie-Lee rarely attends school but is very bright,  spending hours in the library learning about the world, ecology and animals. Books and the library are clearly a huge source of salvation to her.The story begins with Sherrie-Lee witnessing a bank robbery and then describes the next few weeks or her life. We learn about Sherrie-Lee's life and her aspirations and her view of the world and its inhabitants. Sherrie-Lee is an incredibly independent and determined character who finds solace in storytelling, including the fabrication of lies about ther life. I don't want to give any spoilers so won't elaborate on the plot, but the tension builds towards the end as things take an unexpected turn. Fossils is not an easy book to read, especially as a parent. It's hard to contemplate the poverty, neglect and hopelessness in Sherrie-Lee's life and how this can drive her to look for any escape without much thought about its suitability or possible consequences. I felt quite anxious for Joshy throughout the book. There is a lot of bleakness about the environment and the future, again making it an uncomfortable read. The writing is highly evocative and almost poetic in places. There are some beautiful descriptions and some incredibly emotive prose. The book raises lots of questions about poverty,  safeguarding,  parenting, our societal support systems and the way children are educated. It also raises awareness of not only climate change and the resulting inevitable devastation, but the real issue of climate anxiety in young people.  As an educator I have witnessed this first hand and it must not be brushed aside. I was really pleased to have the opportunity to read this important book. It won’t be for everyone and it contains some triggers, but I would definitely recommend it to those who like to be challenged and want something thought provoking. Many thanks to the author, Saraband books and Random Things Tours for the gifted copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.