Lifted

“Hilary Freeman is a genuinely amazing author, almost uniquely able to be both gritty and frothy at the same time. Lifted is delightfully written and beautifully plotted and, in Ruby, has a great central character. The shoplifting scenes are incredibly vivid … Heartily recommended.” — Anthony McGowan, author

“Ruby, the silly but likeable antiheroine of Hilary Freeman’s perceptive and fast-paced Lifted comes from a more recognisable contemporary teen world, where insecurity and boredom are the sources of most ills. Displaying the common sense and warped desire for fame of a Big Brother evictee, Ruby creates a blog to publicise her serial shoplifting in the persona of Robyn Hood, who donates stolen goods to charity shops. If parents are anxious about the shoplifting tips, rest assured that this is a truly cautionary tale.” — Geraldine Brennan, The Observer, August 8, 2010

“The chatty, easy-to-read style and the unusual plot hooked me from the first page. Ruby’s home life and her relationships with family and friends are well drawn and utterly believable … I enjoyed the dark-edged but sweet romance in the book, and although there’s a sense of impending doom throughout, the storyline always kept me guessing. … Lifted is a compelling, original and thought-provoking novel.” — Chicklish, August 2010

“Like Hilary Freeman’s earlier books, this is a fast-paced, readable story rooted convincingly in the everyday lives of modern teenage girls. It is also a cautionary tale … the story brings out the temptations and hazards of modern internet life, above all the spurious attractions of unearned and media-fed celebrity.” –School Librarian, Winter 2010

“I really enjoyed reading this, and think any teenage girl would as they can identify with the life of Ruby the antiheroine of the book. Its well thought out story line kept me reading, and wanting to find out what happens next. An excellent read.” – 5 stars –theschoolrun.com, January 2011