Beauty and the Bin: A Funny and Relatable Story about Climate Change and Food Waste

My ten year old daughter loved this book. It drew her in from the start and she warmed to the characters immediately. It’s a topical and clever take on the every day struggles of a young girl dealing with friendships, family, school life and a host of other teenage issues, all at the same time as learning how important it is just to be herself.It also beautifully highlights the importance of looking after our planet.Joanne O’Connell has written a brilliant, funny, touching book and my daughter (and I) can’t wait for the next one!The beauty recipes are a genius touch too.

I have just finished reading this book with my 8 year old daughter and we absolutely loved it. It is different to other books I have read and highlights the subject of climate change and food waste in a totally relatable way. The story itself was so enjoyable I found myself reading ‘just one more page’ every day at bedtime. We felt like we knew Laurie and Fern personally and my daughter was very disappointed when we reached the end. My 13 year old daughter is now reading the book and enjoying it just as much as we did. Can’t wait for the next one!

Some books feel like old friends. This was a lovely story and it dealt with avery current topic. I really empathised with the main character and felt inspired by what she was trying to do. This was a warm hearted, funny and delightful read.

Bought this for my daughter and she loved it. She found it funny, relatable and very insightful, particularly the bits about embarrassing parents! She really enjoyed the story of life at high school combined with the important issues of climate change and food waste. Would definitely recommend. The beauty recipes at the end were also a big hit!

My 10 year old daughter really enjoyed this book and her review is below:I really loved reading this and got sucked into Laurie’s problems. I liked the way it was written as it focused on different characters and their views. I had no idea there were so many people willing to go ‘all the way’ for climate change and food waste. I would recommend this book. I can’t wait to read the next book called Binderella!

An absolute brilliant read which highlights the subject of food wastage, climate change and social media/peer pressure.Written in an enjoyable and fun way with inspiring messages.Look forward to reading her next new book 'stitched up'!

Got this book for my 12 year old daughter. She said it's a great book that made her think about food waste. She is now looking forward to trying the recipes provided in the back of to he book.

A massively entertaining journey - through adolescence and its shifting sands of competing priorities (via the interior of a few supermarket bins). O'Connell is an accomplished story-teller - shrewd about human weaknesses, but never unkind about them. A warm, witty and winning debut.