• Age: 12 to 14
• Grade: 7 to 10

Seventeen-year-old Emily's world crumbles when her boyfriend dumps her and when she thinks her life can’t possibly get any worse, a series of secrets are revealed that threaten to tear her beloved family apart. Emily feels like she has no one to turn to, until an unexpected friendship blossoms with a troubled classmate named Leo. Sometimes despondent but always supportive, Leo is Emily's rock in an ocean of confusion and disbelief.

Leo's life isn't easy either, and he struggles to be both mother and father to his little sister while his mom battles her alcohol addiction. The two friends lean on each other, and in the end discover the inner strength to face whatever life throws at them.

With incredible insight into the teenage psyche and speckled with pitch-perfect humour, author Sylvia Gunnery has created a heart-warming coming of age story that is sure to connect with young adult readers.

Sylvia Gunnery is the author of nearly a dozen books for teens and younger readers. A retired teacher, she has been inspired by her students to create authentic and engaging stories. Out of Bounds was a Best Books for Kids and Teens Selection and was nominated for the Hackmatack Award. Her most recent novel is Emily For Real. Sylvia gives writing workshops in her home province of Nova Scotia and across Canada, encouraging young writers to find their own voices and tell their own stories.

Sylvia Gunnery's profile page

As the narrator who shares her responses to a stream of stupefying revelations, Emily becomes a real girl, not a cardboard cut-out of a teen.

CanLit for LittleCanadians

Gunnery's style is enjoyably terse and direct...observations like "crying is not cathartic" are short on words but high on impact.

Quill & Quire

Gunnery nicely captures the way families really are, the sweet, mundane and strained interactions of everyday life...Emily for Real is a satisfying read for teens who will root for Emily as she faces the challenges of friendship and families and growing up.

The Chronicle Herald

...genuinely touching at its tear-inducing, hopeful end.

Kirkus Reviews

...Gunnery gives Emily a thoughtful, introspective, and easily relatable voice.

School Library Journal

Young adult readers, especially females, will enjoy reading about the challenges Emily faces and will cheer her on throughout the book, and she attempts to unravel the secrets which have been woven around her.

CM Magazine

Emily's genuine characterization keeps the situation grounded in real emotion that readers will be able to relate to.

Resource Links