The Things We Leave Behind

The Things We Leave Behind - Winner of the Southern Schools Book Awards 2025, shortlisted for the UKLA Books Prize 2025 and the Carnegie Medal 2025.

How I Live Now meets Exodus – a startling YA dystopia that imagines London as the epicentre of the refugee crisis, from critically acclaimed author Clare Furniss.

‘Compulsive, poignant YA dystopia’ - The Guardian
‘An exquisite, devastating read’ - The Irish Times
‘Genuinely moving’ - Daily Mail
‘Reminiscent of Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now and Paul Lynch’s Book Prize-winning dystopia Prophet Song, this is a devastating novel which speaks to the present political moment’ - Just Imagine

Civil unrest in London has reached an all-time high after years of a growing authoritarian regime, and it’s no longer safe for Clem and her half-sister Billie in the city. Clem tells of their treacherous journey to Scotland, by road and then by sea, fleeing with nothing but a notebook filled with stories and memories of home. But is there something Clem's not saying? And how will this journey – and the sisters’ story – end? With the start of a new life? Or a mirror held up to the past?

PRAISE FOR THE THINGS WE LEAVE BEHIND:

‘Remarkable. A frighteningly relevant and moving novel, told with impeccable style. Clare Furniss is one of the very best writers for young people and this new novel is her finest yet. I loved it.’ - Sarah Crossan, author of Where The Heart Should Be

‘Beautifully written, page-turning in the extreme, and deep and personal and global’ - A.F. Harrold, author of The Imaginary and The Worlds We Leave Behind

‘I couldn’t stop reading The Things We Leave Behind… Devastating and unsparing but full of hope and love too. It was a privilege to read it.’ - Candy Gourlay, author of Wild Song

‘This book is exceptional… Years and Years meets The End We Start From for teenagers. Should be on every secondary set text list.’ - Joanna Nadin, author of A Calamity of Mannerings

‘Gripping, moving, tense, twisty and very, very necessary… It all felt so utterly real and terrifyingly possible.’ - Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal

‘Such moving, thought-provoking, compelling story-telling. Wonderful characters. Utterly convincing. I loved it.’ - Julia Green, author of Ettie and the Midnight Pool

PRAISE FOR CLARE FURNISS:

‘Lingers in the mind long after the final word has been read’ - Malorie Blackman, author of Noughts & Crosses

‘Absolutely gorgeous, heartfelt and incredibly enjoyable’ - Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series

‘Funny, sharply observed, shocking and wonderful’ - Sunday Times

‘A beautifully executed story... gloriously funny, deeply emotional and a triumph’ - Daily Mail

‘Beautifully written’ - Stylist