Special Needs by Sue Vickerman

Debut novel from prize winning poet

The novel every teacher and ex-teacher should read

A laugh out loud page-turner brimming with poignancy and acute observations

In a multi-cultural community somewhere in the North teaching is not the only thing that occupies the minds of this vibrant cast of teachers and dreamers, adults every bit as in need of self-discovery as their teenage charges and offspring. A tour de force about family, race, sexual identity, lesbianism and life at the chalk-face, Special Needs is an always intelligent, often hilarious and unerringly humane debut, alive with larger than life, but thoroughly credible characters, from an accomplished and mature voice.

Sue Vickerman had two poetry collections published (Arrowhead Press, Biscuit Publishing) while living in a Scottish lighthouse. Some of her stories have been anthologized (Virago, Diva Books, etc). Sue has been the recipient of an Arts Council award to complete her debut novel, Special Needs. Home is wherever she lays her hat—currently a converted woollen mill in the heart of Bradford.