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Shoes for Anthony

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Shoes for Anthony

By: Emma Kennedy
Narrated by: Emma Kennedy
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

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‘They’re running wild. Feral! If I had a shilling for every time a Scott Street boy said he was doing something when he was doing something else entirely I’d be living in Cardiff in a house made of Lardy cake. What did I say? Bad things will happen!’

The idea of the war coming to their small, impoverished Welsh mining village always seemed remote, but with one explosive event and the arrival of the Americans preparing for the invasion of France, the people of Treherbert find their world turned upside down.

But war brings distrust, lies and danger. And as the villagers find themselves hopelessly divided, Anthony, an 11-year-old who hasn’t had a pair of shoes in years, is going to have to choose between what is popular and what is right.

Joyous, thrilling and nostalgic, Emma Kennedy’s Shoes For Anthony will have you wiping your eyes one moment and beaming from ear-to-ear the next.

 Action & Adventure Family Life Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Science Fiction War & Military War Feel-Good Funny Heartfelt Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking Witty Inspiring Village
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Critic reviews

Moving, memorable and magnificent (Clare Balding)
Heart-warming, evocative, I couldn't put this down. Utterly brilliant. (Katie Fforde)
The most wonderful book about poverty in the mines, family and this little boy who had to wear Wellingtons (Mary Berry)
moving debut
a warm and funny novel
Emma Kennedy’s books are as funny, warm and life-inspiring as she is (Jenny Colgan)
… will have you laughing and crying in equal measure… One to pack for your summer holiday
Funny, believable and poignant
...am loving Shoes For Anthony.It's funny, desperate, touching, real. (Anneka Rice)
What an utterly scrumpatious book. The joy of a soggy welly, the thrill of an adventure,the harsh realities of life (Penny Smith)
All stars
Most relevant
Emma Kennedy is fantastic
I was addicted to this book and didn't want it to end. I've listened to and loved all her books but this is my favourite!

Beautiful book

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I thought the book was brilliant. I loved the contrast of the gentle setting and the excitement of events.

loved it

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Loved the story line....... a mining family in a welsh village..... Emma Kennedy! Brilliantly narrated.... so many characters.... had me hooked from the very beginning....
One of those stories you never want to end.....

Brilliant !

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A beautifully narrated story of the harsh realities of the mining community and the impact of the war.
Touching and heartwarming, but believeable too.

Heartwarming tale

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I've listened to hundreds of books and never reviewed until now. Heartwarming funny sad perfect

loved it

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