My Name’s Not Friday
UK Publisher
David Fickling Books
US Publisher
Scholastic
Date Published
January 5th, 2016
Translations
Koenigskinder (German)
Dramatic Rights
Available
*Longlisted for the Guardian’s Children’s Fiction Prize 2015*
“This boy has bought me. This white boy who don’t even look as old as I am. He owns me body and soul, and my worth has been set at six hundred dollars.”
Samuel’s an educated boy. Been taught by a priest. He was never supposed to be a slave. He’s a good boy too, mostly thoughtful and kind, the type of boy who’d take the blame for something he didn’t do if it meant he saved his brother. So now they don’t call him Samuel. And the sound of guns is getting ever closer…
An extraordinary tale of endurance and hope, Jon Walter’s second novel is a beautiful and moving story about the power of belief and the strength of the human spirit, set against the terrifying backdrop of the American Civil War.
Reviews
To those classic stories such as Goodnight Mr Tom by Michelle Magorian and The Kingdom By The Sea by Robert Swindells can now be added My Name’s Not Friday.
- Michael Thorn - Achuka
Against an authentic historical backdrop, My Name’s Not Friday is a book of love, survival, belief, loss, loyalty and freedom. I challenge you to read this book and not be in awe.
- E.R. Murray
An extraordinary tale of endurance and hope, Jon Walter's second novel is a beautiful and moving story about the power of belief and the strength of the human spirit, set against the terrifying backdrop of the American Civil War.
- Gransnet, Best Summer Reads 2015
A moving, memorable story of slavery, faith and friendship.
- Metro
Walter's first foray into young adult literature knocks it out of the park... Samuel’s journey is nuanced and engrossing, told in beautiful language and embellished with well-researched details.
- Lisa Martincik, Voice of Youth Advocates