Coming Home to Roost

Well that is a book. A blimmin great book. I thoroughly enjoyed it . . . I liked Elliot enormously, and I loved the relationship between him and Arnie, it felt very real and genuine.

Bridget Schaumann, librarian at Kings High School, Dunedin

MARY-ANNE SCOTT'S first novel Snakes and Ladders, aimed at teenagers, particularly boys, is fantastic. It won the 2013 young adult category of the Children's Choice award at the NZ Post Book Awards. It was also short listed for the 2013 LIANZA awards. However, the Havelock North-based author, mum and musician's new novel Coming Home to Roost, also written from a young man's perspective, is a whole lot better.

Linda Hall, Daily Post

This novel, written for young adults, was a real page turner. Too often novels written for young adults are depressing and bleak. While Elliot definitely had some hard learning on his way to growing up the story remained upbeat. The unwanted pregnancy was handled with dignity. His encounter with racism was a learning curve for him. His relationships with his mother and father, one time girlfriend and friends is sympathetically portrayed. It is the story of an ordinary young lad growing up in an ordinary family. It is a real New Zealand story and I loved it.

Margaret Reilly, Horowhenua Chronicle