Tall Story

Written by Candy Gourlay

Narrated by Ramon de Ocampo and Jayne Entwistle

Andi is short. And she has lots of wishes. She wishes she could play on the school basketball team, she wishes for her own bedroom, but most of all she wishes that her long-lost half-brother, Bernardo, could come and live in London where he belongs.

Then Andi's biggest wish comes true and she's minutes away from becoming someone's little sister. As she waits anxiously for Bernardo to arrive from the Philippines, she hopes he'll turn out to be tall and just as crazy as she is about basketball. When he finally arrives, he's tall all right. Eight feet tall, in fact—plagued by condition called Gigantism and troubled by secrets that he believes led to his phenomenal growth.

In a novel packed with quirkiness and humor, Gourlay explores a touching sibling relationship and the clash of two very different cultures.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group
• Release date: Feb 14, 2012
• ISBN: 9780307968746

Candy Gourlay

Candy Gourlay was born in the Philippines and went to an all-girls convent school called St Theresa's College in Quezon City where she discovered a love of reading and writing. Candy began her writing career as a journalist during the People Power Revolution. After marrying her husband and raising three children she began writing novels. Her work now includes Shine, Bone Talk, and Wild Song. Candy now lives in London, UK.

Reviews for Tall Story

[sullywriter_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Clever, orginal, warm story that beautifully weaves together many compelling themes.

[jjpionke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The day short 13 year old Andi makes the basketball team as a point guard is the day she has to move to a new house and a new school. Her brother 16 year old Bernardo, who lives in the Philippines, has been waiting to come to London, England his entire life but he and his aunt and uncle have been keeping a terrible secret from his mother. Bernardo is eight feet tall. At times funny, especially if you have traveled to Asia or are close to families who have immigrated from Asia, this book hits so many idiosyncrasies of immigration and cultural difference right on the head. The story is told in alternating points of view between Andi and Bernardo as their worlds collide in sometimes scary ways. Chapters are short which gives one a sense of accomplishment. The story takes place in London so there are references to a different style of schooling that may leave some American readers a bit confused. Children who are in split families, for whatever reason, will like this book, as will sports fans and children who are physically different from others. Highly Recommended.

[elbakerone · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amandolina (Andi) knows her life is in for a change when she learns that her half-brother Bernardo is moving from the Philippines to live with her and her parents in England. People have always said Bernardo is "tall" but at eight feet he towers over everyone - taller even than Andi's hero Michael Jordan. At his home in the Philippines, Bernardo's height is considered a mark of good fortune. Though he longs to reunite with his family, he fears leaving his superstitious neighbors behind.

Tall Story is a tale of family, friendship, wishes, and curses with a twist of folklore blended into a story of growing up. The book is told in alternating chapters by Andi and Bernardo and author Candy Gourlay does a remarkable job giving each character a unique perspective and voice. Though their situations are original they both face awkwardness and adjustments that any young adult can relate to but the heart of this story is a theme of love and family that will charm readers of any age.

[theoclarke · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Affectionate story of a giant Filipino boy and his basketball-playing half-sister who are reunited in London. Delivered in a stacatto style it conveys the youth of its 13-year-old narrator with engaging assurance.