Sex Education with an Irish LGBT heroine: Aideen can fix anyone's problem - just not her own
When Aideen agrees to help ambitious class swot Maebh Kowalska deal with her crazy workload, she doesn’t expect to end up reluctantly pushing Maebh down the stairs. With this, Aideen becomes the school ‘fixer’: any problem a student has, Aideen will sort it out, from stealing confiscated mobiles to breaking into parties. All she asks for is a favour in return. But Aideen’s own life is a mess – her mam’s drinking again, her BFF Holly is avoiding her and she’s skipping school. Spending more time with the uptight (but annoyingly cute) Maebh and chatterbox Kavi, Aideen starts to wonder: can every problem be solved?
Not My Problem (Andersen Press) by Ciara Smyth winner of the 2023 Best Laugh Out Loud Book for Teens.
Creators
Ciara Smyth studied drama, teaching and then social work at university. She thought she didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up. She became a writer so she wouldn’t have to grow up. She enjoys jigging (verb: to complete a jigsaw), playing the violin badly, and having serious conversations with her pets. Ciara has lived in Belfast for over ten years and still doesn’t really know her way around.
Reviews
I howled with laughter. Derry Girls but better, with such a massive heart
Romantic, hilarious and full of crazy capers, Smyth’s second novel also quietly conveys the grinding anxiety of growing up poor without parental support
The Guardian
A spark of emotional authenticity runs throughout, making the narrative engaging and enjoyable
Kirkus
Brilliantly channels the acerbic putdowns and frank humour of TV’s Derry Girls and Sex Education… Smart, well observed and highly entertaining
The Observer
