This young adult novel, now out in paperback, was one of the most praised debuts of last year. Set in Ireland during the 1980s, it concerns a motherless teenage girl, “Shell” (short for Michelle), her younger siblings, and her father, who takes consolation for the loss of his wifeboth in excessive piety and in the bottle. Shell’s life is short of fun, except when she is in the company of her reckless best friend Bridie, or of Declan, the randy altar boy (“Whatever he was thinking, it wasn’t holy”). She is lacking any adult support, other than that given by an idealistic young priest, but his standing in the community is done no good by his attempts to help Shell.

Although this story is about teenage pregnancy — and a scandal about dead babies that is based on a real newspaper report — it is also a celebration of innocence in which the pious and proper are guilty of neglect and lack of compassion, and in which those who are perceived as social transgressors are guileless and loving. Written with a fluent, lyrical sprightliness, this poignant novel invests tragic events with humanity and even, in places, humour (Random House Definitions £5.99). NJ

Explore Books

• Book Extracts

• Book Reviews

• Books Group

• Audio Books

Times Recommends

• If you only buy one book this Christmas make sure it's...
• The Times Christmas Books 2008: Gifts
• 10 Books Not To Read Before You Die