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WORK TITLE: The Heartbeats of Wing Jones
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE: 1987
WEBSITE: http://www.kwebberwrites.com/
CITY: London, England
STATE:
COUNTRY: United Kingdom
NATIONALITY:
http://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2136186/katherine-webber * http://www.rcwlitagency.com/authors/katherine-webber/
RESEARCHER NOTES:
LC control no.: n 2016038741
LCCN Permalink: https://lccn.loc.gov/n2016038741
HEADING: Webber, Katherine, 1987-
000 00549cz a2200145n 450
001 10209241
005 20160718152011.0
008 160716n| azannaabn |n aaa
010 __ |a n 2016038741
040 __ |a DLC |b eng |c DLC |e rda
046 __ |f 19870830
100 1_ |a Webber, Katherine, |d 1987-
670 __ |a The heartbeats of Wing Jones, 2017: |b ECIP t.p. (Katherine Webber)
670 __ |a Email to pub. 07-18-16 |b (per pub. Katherine Elizabeth Webber; DOB August 30, 1987; born in San Diego, lived in Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Atlanta, currently lives in London)
953 __ |a xk09
PERSONAL
Born August 30, 1987, in San Diego, CA; married Kevin Tsang.
EDUCATION:Attended University of California, Davis and Chinese University of Hong Kong.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Has worked at an international translation company, a technology startup, and a London-based reading charity.
AVOCATIONS:Travel, books, and eating out.
WRITINGS
With her husband, Webber writes the children’s fiction series “Sam Wu Is Not Afraid,” under the name Katie Tsang. The first volume is called Sam Wu Is Not Afraid of Ghosts. Author of a blog.
The Heartbeats of Wing Jones has been optioned for film by The Artists Partnership.
SIDELIGHTS
Katherine Webber was born in San Diego, California, in 1987. She attended the University of California, Davis, where she studied comparative literature, and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where she studied Chinese literature and language and met her future husband, Kevin Tsang. She has traveled extensively, to more than forty countries, and lived and worked on three continents, in places such as Hong Kong, Maui, and Atlanta, Georgia. At present she lives in London with her husband, with whom she collaborates on children’s books.
The Heartbeats of Wing Jones is Webber’s first novel. Wing Jones, the protagonist of the story, is biracial (with both Chinese and Ghanian grandmothers) and feels out of place. Her father has died, and she lives in the shadow of her brother, Marcus, the star of the school football team. Her world changes on the night her brother drives drunk, causing a crash that kills two people. He suffers serious injuries and falls into a coma. With mounting medical bills, the family is facing eviction from their home. To cope with the tragedy and its aftermath, Wing begins running on the track at school and is noticed by Marcus’s best friend, Aaron. Suddenly she has the opportunity to become a star herself and to garner the sponsorship of a company that sells athletic gear.
Critics expressed approval of this debut novel. A Publishers Weekly reviewer characterized The Heartbeats of Wing Jones as a “story showing how hope and love can blossom in the midst of chaos.” Addressing the inner turmoil of Wing in the midst of her family troubles, a critic for Kirkus Reviews found that “her sense of isolation is well-captured, and her grief and confusion are raw and moving.” A writer at the Choose YA blog termed it “a poignant novel about finding your own identity and harnessing a talent you didn’t even know existed.” A contributor to the Mugglenet website called Webber “an exceptional new voice in YA” who tells a “heart-wrenchingly beautiful” story. The reviewer appreciated the “whimsical, conversational, first-person narrative voice” that delves into Wing’s inner life. The Mugglenet correspondent also commented favorably on the supporting characters, especially the “boisterous and opinionated Granny Dee and LaoLao” who “pepper the book with their bickering and wisdom, giving an insight into family history, fraught relationships, and above all an unconditional love and respect.” A Booklist reviewer called Webber a “strong and honest storyteller” and her supporting characters “as diverse as Wing’s emotions.” While applauding the racial diversity, a critic for Irish Times pointed out that the book “should also be commended for its sympathetic portrayal of a working-class family and the terrifying burden of medical expenses in a pre-Obamacare society.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
Kirkus Reviews, December 15, 2016, review of The Heartbeats of Wing Jones.
Publishers Weekly, January 23, 2017, review of The Heartbeats of Wing Jones, p. 80.
ONLINE
Booklist, https://www.booklistonline.com/The-Heartbeats-of-Wing-Jones/pid=8624086 (February 17, 2017), review of The Heartbeats of Wing Jones.
Choose YA, http://www.chooseya.com (February 6, 2017), review of The Heartbeats of Wing Jones.
Deadline Review, http://www.deadlinenews.co.uk/ (August 13, 2017), author interview.
Heart Full of Books, https://heartfullofbooks.com (January 14, 2017), review of The Heartbeats of Wing Jones.
Irish Times, https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/books/children-s-books-five-great-titles-to-start-the-new-year-1.2921257 (January 21, 2017), review of The Heartbeats of Wing Jones.
Katherine Webber Website, http://www.kwebberwrites.com/ (October 13, 2017).
Mugglenet, http://blog.mugglenet.com (January 2, 2017), review of The Heartbeats of Wing Jones.
RCW Literary Agency, http://www.rcwlitagency.com/authors/katherine-webber/ (October 13, 2017), author profile.*
Katherine Webber
Reader. Writer. Wanderer.
Home About Books Events Instagram Blog Contact
About me
Katherine Webber is originally from California but currently lives in London. She spent four years living in Hong Kong and has also lived in Atlanta, Georgia and Hawaii.
She loves an adventure, whether it is found in a book or in real life. Travel, books, and eating out are her favourite indulgences.
Her debut YA novel WING JONES/THE HEARTBEATS OF WING JONES is published by Walker Books in the UK and Penguin Random House/Delacorte in the US.
The film rights for WING JONES are represented by Emily Hayward Whitlock at The Artists Partnership.
Katherine is represented by Claire Wilson at Rogers, Coleridge, and White.
Follow me @kwebberwrites
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Katherine Webber
Katherine Webber was born in San Diego, California in 1987. She has lived and worked in Hong Kong, Hawaii, and Atlanta. She currently lives London with her husband, Kevin.
She loves an adventure, whether it is found in a book or in real life. She has climbed the Great Wall of China, ridden camels in the Sahara Desert, camped in the Serengeti, visited sacred temples in Bhutan, trekked to Machu Picchu, and eaten her way through Italy. Travel, books, and eating out are her favourite indulgences.
Katherine studied Comparative Literature at the University of California, Davis and Chinese literature and language at the Chinese University of Hong Kong. She has worked at an international translation company, a technology startup, and most recently, a London based reading charity.
Her YA debut WING JONES will be published in 2017 by Walker Books in the UK and Random House in the US.
Agent Name: Claire Wilson
Submissions for the Deborah Rogers Foundation's second Writers Award are now open! deborahrogersfoundat…
Ross Raisins ANatural is published in the US on October by randomhouse An exquisitely crafted comingofage novel set in the highstakes world of English soccer Admirablegeniusamazingvertiginous said sundaytimes upon its UK publication by jonathancape rossraisin anatural fiction rcw
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Home Entertainment FESTIVAL ALTER EGO Q&A – Katherine Webber / Wing Jones
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FESTIVAL ALTER EGO Q&A – Katherine Webber / Wing Jones
By Deadline Staff - August 13, 2017 0 53
Deadline News reviews and reports from Edinburgh Festival FringeAS PART of Deadline at the Fest, we are interviewing performers from across the month by putting 20 questions to them – both as an artist and as their stage or performance alter ego.
Katherine Webber is an exciting new author whose book Wing Jones centres on a girl caught between two cultures, who discovers the positive effects of running.
Wing’s speed could bring her family everything they want. Her story of love and hope has brought her great acclaim.
Katherine appears at the Edinburgh Book Festival at the Baillie Gifford Tent on Sunday, August 13 at 6.45pm.
Wing Jones is published by Walker.
Katherine Webber, author of Wing Jones
Photo contributed
First impressions of our fair city and, why are you here?
I love Edinburgh! It is one of my favourite cities to visit. I’m officially here as an author presenting at the Edinburgh Book Festival — but I’m also here to go to other events as a fan, and check out some of the Fringe comedy shows.
Does your visit bring on joy or dread?
Lots of joy! I’ve been a visitor at the Festival for the past few years and being invited to come as an author is an absolute dream come true!
Are you a happy soul or do the occasionally dreich elements make you morose?
I tend to be pretty positive. Especially while I’m in beautiful Edinburgh.
Where will you visit on your day off and why?
I’ll be going to as many shows and events as I can.
Do you ever get jealous of other performers? Can you name one or two?
Every children’s author probably has the same answer for this…I have to admit I wish I’d written Harry Potter! Every time I come to Edinburgh I try to go to the Elephant Cafe where JK Rowling supposedly wrote some of the books.
Did you have a happy childhood?
Yes, I was very fortunate! I grew up in sunny Southern California and always had plenty of books to read and lots to spark my imagination.
What does failure mean to you? Does it make you shrink or grow?
I’m a bit relentless when it comes to chasing my dreams—failure just inspires me to work harder.
Are you superstitious when it comes to performing?
Not really! I love doing author events—especially for young people.
What is your biggest fear before going on stage?
That the audience will get bored. I try really hard to make all of my events engaging and interesting.
What is your favourite saying?
I don’t know if it is a saying, exactly, but I love the Margaret Atwood quote “A word, after a word, after a word is power.” I actually have that quote written on a custom illustration from illustrator Chris Riddell.
What is your worst habit?
Oh, I have so many! I’m not very punctual…am working on this because I know it is so annoying!
What do you love/hate about the festival?
I love EVERYTHING about the festival! I honestly don’t hate anything about it. I’d love to see it become more accessible to young people from different backgrounds.
Tell me about your most passionate embrace.
Cheesy, but probably has to be with my husband right after he proposed! It was on the top of Victoria Peak in Hong Kong.
Do you wear knickers under your kilt?
100% yes.
Most embarrassing moment?
Ohh this is another one where there are SO many! Most recently I spilled a drink on an author I hugely admire at a party. He was incredibly gracious about it but I was mortified! And I’m not telling you who it was.
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
Tie between Hong Kong and London. I’ve been fortunate to live in both of my favourite cities.
Who would you be if you were not you?
In another life, I’d love to be a ballerina. I have no sense of rhythm or grace and I would love to be able to move like they do.
What Scottish delicacies do you intend to sample and, do any of them fill you with fear?
I always have haggis when I’m in Scotland—and usually enjoy it. I’m also looking forward to some seafood.
What is your greatest ambition?
Professionally, my greatest ambition is to be a best selling author with a long and successful career. Personally, my greatest ambition is to be remembered as kind.
How can we bring world peace?
Be kind when you can, and stand up for those who are in need.
Answered by Wing Jones, main character in the novel Wing Jones by Katherine Webber
Reader art of young adult novel Wing Jones by Katherine Webber
Wing Jones art by Jojo Rick
First impressions of our fair city and, why are you here?
Edinburgh looks like something out of a fairy tale story! I’m here for the Festival, of course. I’m a runner, but I like books and comedy shows too and the Book Festival and Fringe is the perfect place for that.
Does your visit bring on joy or dread?
Joy, but I’m a little nervous too. It’s my first time travelling overseas!
Are you a happy soul or do the occasionally dreich elements make you morose?
I’m happy because I’ve got a lot to be grateful for.
Where will you visit on your day off and why?
I want to see everything! But I’d especially like to go up Arthur’s Seat.
Do you ever get jealous of other performers? Can you name one or two?
I’m not much of a jealous person, but as a runner, I do have lots of athletes I admire. I’d love to hang out with Simone Biles or Mo Farrah!
Did you have a happy childhood?
Mostly. Some hard things happened, but my grandmothers and my brother helped get me through it. This last year was both one of the worst and best years of my life.
What does failure mean to you? Does it make you shrink or grow?
If you fail at something, try again. Keep going. I’ll keep pushing myself till I achieve what I need to get done.
Are you superstitious when it comes to performing?
I always get nervous before a big race, but I think a little bit of nerves is a good thing. And I’m still getting used to lots of people looking at me.
What is your biggest fear before going on stage?
That people will laugh at me, and not in a nice way.
What is your favourite saying?
Gotta go with the Nike slogan—Just Do It
What is your worst habit?
I’m pretty clumsy. And I wish I wasn’t so shy.
What do you love/hate about the festival?
I love the atmosphere! I don’t hate anything about it, but I’m a little anxious around all the crowds. You’d think I’d be used to it after all the races I’ve run in!
Tell me about your most passionate embrace.
My grandmothers might read this!
Do you wear knickers under your kilt?
I don’t wear a kilt, but I absolutely wear underwear under my running clothes!
Most embarrassing moment?
I’m not going to tell you that! Just thinking about it makes me blush, I don’t want everyone to read about it. But I will tell you it has to do with a tent, a boy, and oversleeping.
Where is your favourite place in the world and why?
Hilton Head, South Carolina. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world! And it was both where question 12 and question 14 happened. And that is the only hint you’re getting about my embrace and my most embarrassing moment!
Who would you be if you were not you?
I’m still figuring out who “me” is.
What Scottish delicacies do you intend to sample and, do any of them fill you with fear?
I’m pretty excited about the shortbread, and less excited about the haggis!
What is your greatest ambition?
Win a gold medal at the Olympics.
How can we bring world peace?
Don’t judge someone just because they look different and treat people the way you would want to be treated.
TAGSEdinburgh Festival FringeEdinburgh Festivalauthoredinburgh book festivalinterviewQ&AKatherine Webberyoung adult fictionWing JonesAlter ego
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Print Marked Items
The Heartbeats of Wing Jones
Publishers Weekly.
264.4 (Jan. 23, 2017): p80.
COPYRIGHT 2017 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
Full Text:
The Heartbeats of Wing Jones
Katherine Webber. Delacorte, $17.99 (336p) ISBN 978-0-399-55502-2
Believing that she has no particular talent of her own, half black, half Chinese Atlanta teen Wing Jones lives in the
shadow of Marcus, her football-star older brother. All that changes the night Marcus kills two people while driving
drunk, and is left in a coma. Juggling anger, sadness, and guilty relief that her brother survived, Wing finds solace in
late-night runs. When Marcus's best friend Aaron (whom Wing secretly loves) spots her circling the high school track,
he's amazed by her speed and wants to bring her into the spotlight. Soon, Wing is on the track team, winning one race
after another. In a story showing how hope and love can blossom in the midst of chaos, first-time author Webber
explores Wing's challenges to be a winner as her family--overwhelmed by mounting bills, criminal charges against
Marcus, and the uncertainty of his fate--begins to crumble. Readers caught up in the tension of the story, set in 1995,
are unlikely to be bothered by the improbability of Wing's speedy climb to the top. Ages 12--up. Agent: Claire Wilson,
Rogers, Coleridge & White. (Mar.)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"The Heartbeats of Wing Jones." Publishers Weekly, 23 Jan. 2017, p. 80+. General OneFile, go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA479714253&it=r&asid=0999dfe220dd64b2a69e13f12c5f3256.
Accessed 2 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A479714253
---
10/2/2017 General OneFile - Saved Articles
http://go.galegroup.com/ps/marklist.do?actionCmd=GET_MARK_LIST&userGroupName=schlager&inPS=true&prodId=ITOF&ts=1506982846639 2/2
Webber, Katherine: THE HEARTBEATS OF
WING JONES
Kirkus Reviews.
(Dec. 15, 2016):
COPYRIGHT 2016 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
Full Text:
Webber, Katherine THE HEARTBEATS OF WING JONES Delacorte (Children's Fiction) $17.99 3, 14 ISBN: 978-0-
399-55502-2
In 1995 Atlanta, a mixed-race girl finds a way to stand out on her own terms. Wing and her brother, Marcus, attract
attention because they're half Chinese, half black. While Marcus is a football hero, Wing suffers bullying from a mean
girl and secretly pines for Aaron, Marcus' best friend, a black boy. Everything changes when Marcus, while driving
drunk, kills two people and falls into a coma. Wing feels completely alone; neither her mother nor her grandmothers,
LaoLao and Granny Dee, seem to know what to do. So Wing starts running in secret, prodded by her imaginary dragon
and lioness, which she has not seen since her father died. She feels free when she runs, as though she can outrun all her
mixed emotions. When Aaron finds out, he encourages Wing, and they grow closer even as the situation at home
worsens. A running sponsorship could save her family--but in trying to chase that sponsorship, will Wing lose the one
thing that makes her feel free? The choice of time period feels unjustified--this story could have been equally true in
2016--and the device of the dragon and lioness feels forced. Nevertheless, Wing's sense of isolation is well-captured,
and her grief and confusion are raw and moving. Overall, a solid debut. (Historical fiction. 14-16)
Source Citation (MLA 8th
Edition)
"Webber, Katherine: THE HEARTBEATS OF WING JONES." Kirkus Reviews, 15 Dec. 2016. General OneFile,
go.galegroup.com/ps/i.do?
p=ITOF&sw=w&u=schlager&v=2.1&id=GALE%7CA473652301&it=r&asid=64594e4ca36ee49305c2cc4bc0a262e1.
Accessed 2 Oct. 2017.
Gale Document Number: GALE|A473652301
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Book Review: “Wing Jones” by Katherine Webber
JANUARY 2, 2017
wing2Wing Jones is a story about finding your passion through pain and perseverance, falling in love, and understanding your family from an exceptional new voice in YA. Katherine Weber is an avid book champion, event chair, and lover of all things YA, so her debut was sure to be special. However, all of my expectations grew wings and took flight due to the joy, emotion, and brilliance of this amazing book. Wing’s story is heart-wrenchingly beautiful, and her discovery of running as an outlet for her emotions demonstrates that you can do anything if your heart is in it. In a year when we all could do with some hope, Wing Jones shows the rewards of action, belief, and achievement.
With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between worlds. But when tragedy strikes, Wing discovers a talent for running she never knew she had. Wing’s speed could bring her family everything it needs. It could also stop Wing getting the one thing she wants. Jandy Nelson meets Friday Night Lights.
At the center of Wing Jones is a gutsy, determined young woman. I was utterly enamored with her personal path of perseverance through tragedy. Webber’s whimsical, conversational, first-person narrative voice allows you to get to know Wing with ease, getting a glimpse inside her head as she works through her feelings. Whether this is through following her personal guardians in the guise of anthropomorphic dragon and lioness, whose familiar presence guides her imagination and shows her the path, or her observations on the way she’s treated by her peers as a shy, curvy, mixed-race young woman in her brother’s shadow, Wing’s voice is original and endearing. She shares hard truths and introspective learning curves.
Wing and her family are so vibrant and wonderful, holding their heads up through turmoil and their struggles. Her boisterous and opinionated Granny Dee and LaoLao pepper the book with their bickering and wisdom, giving an insight into family history, fraught relationships, and above all an unconditional love and respect. Her Mother’s quiet heartbreak after the tragic loss of Wing’s policeman father is further tested when her brother Marcus is involved in a horrible accident that proves fatal for one of the passengers. Together with Marcus’s girlfriend, Monica, they must reassess their bonds and figure out how to continue when the person they hero-worship falls from his pedestal. For Wing, this means discovering a hidden talent in running.
The descriptions of running are exhilarating in their freedom – Wing sneaking out late at night in her ill-fitting sneakers, drowning her grief-stricken thoughts in the smacking of the pavement. My heart was full with cheering her on as she finds her talent. It’s these moments of private endeavor that truly make Wing Jones a hopeful read, perfect for any young person, sporty or not, that reflects “This Girl Can” and this girl will. Furthermore, running allows Wing a way to reconnect, and through training, she also discovers new teammates and like-minded people to help her find her way.
Fans of slow burn romance with friendship, respect, support, and passion will be swept away by the intense evolution of Wing’s relationship with her brother’s best friend and fellow runner, Aaron. Katherine never paints over their youth, with miscommunication, longing, and awkward first steps. However their shared hurts and their own fierce brand of determined happiness make their first kiss (which, as Katherine happily points out, was once a 10,000-word scene) well worth the wait. Your heart will be pounding like you’ve sprinted at the end of a marathon.
Wing Jones is the perfect read for fans of Jandy Nelson, Rainbow Rowell, and character-driven sports shows such as Friday Night Lights and Pitch. I absolutely adored this story. It is full of heartache, hope, and personal triumph. You’ll fall in love with the characters, cheer them on, and cry for them. Magical and real, sad and triumphant. It explores grief, tragedy, perseverance, bullying, ambition, blossoming love, friendship, family, and more. A truly beautiful book that everyone should pick up!
Wing Jones will be published in the UK this week and in the US as The Heartbeats of Wing Jones on March 14, 2017.
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher for review.
Tags: Charlie, Contemporary, Grief, Katherine Webber, romance, Sport, Wing Jones
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Review: Wing Jones by Katherine Webber
PUBLISHED ON January 14, 2017
One of my favourite reads of 2017, already, is Wing Jones and I just had to share how marvellous it was! If you’re looking for a great, diverse, UKYA recommendation, then look no further!
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3 thoughts on “Review: Wing Jones by Katherine Webber”
Kayla @ The Tome Chronicles says:
January 18, 2017 at 1:07 PM
Wonderful review! I’ve been itching to get this book. It sounds like a wonderful book. I went out looking for it last weekend and found that it isn’t actually out in the US yet, but thank goodness for Book Depository!
REPLY
bookevin says:
January 23, 2017 at 10:32 AM
I loved loved loved this book! ❤
REPLY
Chelley Toy says:
January 24, 2017 at 9:30 PM
I loved your review so much! Thanks for linking up on the British Books Challenge x
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We spent our Saturday at #baddesleyclinton #nationaltrust and the dahlias were so beautiful! * u * Here are all the books we've taken to university for third year! We've got a bunch of books we're using as bibliographies for our dissertation reading and we're hiding all of our set uni reading on the bottoms shelf! Also a cameo from 3 of our fave films! #shelfie #bookstagram Just finished filming my review of this fantastic book full of girl power and friendship! So excited for you all to see me rave about my new fave feminist read by @authorjenmathieu! #moxiegirlsfightback Three feminists, two readers, one author - one of my fave photos from the weekend! Just read the sampler and can't wait for It Only Happens in the Movies! Spent most of the morning near a coffee vendor reading this for #tometopple! The smell was gorgeous and the book problematic, haha! The Corr sisters are so inspiring every time we meet them! We can't wait for the final book in their trilogy #writingduos #yalc
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REVIEW: WING JONES BY KATHERINE WEBBER
POSTED FEBRUARY 6, 2017 BY CHOOSEYABOOKS IN REVIEWS / 2 COMMENTS
Review: Wing Jones by Katherine WebberTitle: Wing Jones
Author: Katherine Webber
Publisher: Walker Books
Publication Date: January 5th 2017
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Bought
five-stars
Jandy Nelson meets Friday Night Lights: a sweeping story about love and family from an exceptional new voice in YA. With a grandmother from China and another from Ghana, fifteen-year-old Wing Jones is often caught between wor...
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Review: Since I started blogging, I keep an eye on The Bookseller book deal announcements to see what’s coming in YA. As soon I heard about Wing Jones I was intrigued and as 2016 developed and more people talked about it, that interest just piqued. Wing Jones is a beautifully written contemporary YA novel that I adored. It tells the story of Wing Jones, who’s always felt more in her football playing brother’s shadows. Then everything changes. Her brother is in an accident and in a coma. The accident killed two people and her beloved brother was drink driving. While dealing with the tragedy, Wing discovers an affinity for running she never knew.
I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book. Sometimes when a book is particularly hyped, or one you’ve anticipated keenly it never seems to meet your expectations. I was a little worried this would be the case for Wing Jones. I shouldn’t have been. Wing is a brilliant character and her story comes off the page.
One of the things I loved the most about this book was the importance of family. So often in YA, family fades into the background. From an academic and plot sense, I understand why. If the main character can go to their parents and they can fix the problem for them, how does the plot develop? As Wing Jones looks at family after tragedy, this is not the case and Wing’s family members are of paramount importance. Her grannies Dee and LaoLao seem to come off the pages with their bickering and different approaches but clear love of their family.
Webber explores a number of themes in Wing Jones. What it means to be biracial and the reality racism are weaved throughout the novel; from Monica’s family’s disapproval and condemnation of their daughter’s relationship with Marcus to Wing shaping her identity. I also thought the way in which it touched on Marcus’ fall from grace was interesting and felt true. What he does is wrong and the consequences and horror are not played down. However, he is still Wing’s brother, he is not an evil caricature and neither are his actions condoned. There is no going back and all of the characters in Wing Jones are changed by the actions that night.
Wing Jones is a poignant novel about finding your own identity and harnessing a talent you didn’t even know existed. There is a lovely romance subplot but it doesn’t overpower the novel or become the sole focus. Wing is. And so she should be. Wing Jones already stands out as one of the must reads of 2017 and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Do not be surprised if it makes you want to dig out your trainers and go for a run yourself. I did find my next lot of treadmill intervals at the gym after Wing Jones a little more inspired!
five-stars
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2 RESPONSES TO “REVIEW: WING JONES BY KATHERINE WEBBER”
chelley toy
Thanks so much for linking this up to the British Books Challenge. I’m so excited to read this one! xx
12th feb, 2017 at 7:03pm Reply
sam
I also adored this book. Great review!
27th feb, 2017 at 10:22pm Reply
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The Heartbeats of Wing Jones.
Webber, Katherine (author).
Mar. 2017. 336p. Delacorte, hardcover, $17.99 (9780399555022); Delacorte, library edition, $20.99 (9780399555046); Delacorte, e-book, $17.99 (9780399555039). Grades 7-10.
REVIEW.
First published February 17, 2017 (Booklist Online).
Fifteen-year-old Wing Jones lives in a house of strong women—her Chinese mother and her Chinese and Ghanaian grandmothers—and in the shadow of her brother Marcus, the congenial football star destined for greatness. But when Marcus drinks and drives, killing two people and ending up in a coma himself, Wing’s life becomes a nightmare: schoolmates place the blame for the tragedy on her, and the family can’t keep up with the mounting hospital bills. Unable to sleep, she finds release and focus in running. When Wing’s longtime secret crush, Aaron, sees her fly around the track, he knows she has something special and could win a sponsorship that would help her family. Wing is a strong and honest storyteller, and her supporting characters are as diverse as Wing’s emotions. Set in 1995 pre-Olympics Atlanta, the swiftly paced story will quickly sweep up readers. Though the ending feels overly rushed, this is an otherwise well-crafted, inspirational debut with plenty of heart, hope, and determination.— Jeanne Fredriksen
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Selection includes fun, silly stories and the 2016 Printz Award-winning YA book
Sat, Jan 21, 2017, 06:00
Family dynamics
For a more traditional – though certainly not predictable – take on family dynamics and teen relationships, try Katherine Webber’s debut Wing Jones (Walker, £7.99). Originally from California, Webber has worked for BookTrust in the United Kingdom and is known as a great YA supporter, so her first novel has been greatly anticipated.
Fifteen-year-old Wing lives in the shadow of her older brother, Marcus, who fits in at school in a way she’s sure she never will. Half-black, half-Chinese, she reflects on how there’s no table in the cafeteria for her, no obvious group to join. The cool girls at school are more than willing to remind her that she’s a “freak”, and she’s inclined to agree.
When a car crash leaves Marcus in a coma, all Wing can do is run – and run. Her newfound commitment to athletics – as the 1996 Atlanta Olympics approach – saves her in the months to come, even as it threatens her embryonic romance with Marcus’s best friend.
Despite the slightly awkward magical realism element – Wing is protected by two guardians, a dragon and a lioness (representing her Chinese and Ghanaian heritage) – this is a compelling and heartwarming account of finding hope even in the bleakest of circumstances. And while American reviewers are likely to praise the title for its racial diversity, it should also be commended for its sympathetic portrayal of a working-class family and the terrifying burden of medical expenses in a pre-Obamacare society.