Meg Grehan is originally from County Louth but now hiding away in County Donegal in the north-west of Ireland, with a very ginger girlfriend, an even more ginger dog and an undisclosed number of cats (none of whom is ginger). Her first book The Space Between won the Eilís Dillon Award at the 2018 Children's Books Ireland Awards. The Deepest Breath won the Judge's Special Prize at the 2020 Children's Books Ireland Awards and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize in the UK, and was selected for the Read for Empathy reading list 2020, as well as being named a Bank Street Best Children's Book of 2022 with Outstanding Merit and a Booklist Editors' Choice: Books for Youth, 2021. The Deepest Breath is published in the USA by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and in France by Talents Haut. Baby Teeth was a Kirkus Best YA Book of 2022 and was nominated for the 2023 Carnegie Medal.

Featured in the CBC's Hot Off the Press Reading List in August 2025

'A warm hug for young readers.' The Irish Times

Praise for The Lonely Book

'By emphasizing the ways in which books and bookstores serve as safe spaces, the importance of open and honest communication in relationships, and the power of unconditional love, Grehan offers a wholesome and affirming story suffused with warmth and populated by a supportive and compassionate cast.' Publishers Weekly starred review

'Grehan's writing style is lovely ... I also deeply enjoyed the magical element of the story and how it emphasized how meaningful and even life-changing the right book can be for a person.' Queer Big Foot

'A Middle-Grade chapter book that tackles the diverse topic of gender identity uniquely and magically.' - YA Books Central

This Lonely Book has traveled with me so many places and I have pulled it out and shared it again and again so maybe it's a little less lonely.' Wandering Bookseller

'[An] emotional powerhouse of a book.' Reading with Red and the Magpie

'What a tender jewel of a book ... The Lonely Book was a balm and a blessing.' - Deirdre Sullivan, author of Savage Her Reply

A beautifully immersive, magical and timely tale of family, gender identity - and the importance of a good book! I binged Meg Grehan's The Lonely Book in one sitting, it's the perfect warm and love-filled escape for bookworms of all ages, especially those who've always believed in the magic of bookstores.' Aislinn O'Loughlin, author of Big Bad Me

'This brave, kind novel in verse explores gender identity in an original way.' Irish Independent

There is much for every reader to enjoy in this celebration of the wonders of bookshops and family love.' The Echo

Praise for The Deepest Breath

'Small in scope and big in heart and feeling, this novel is a tender portrait of gay early adolescence and a strong mother-daughter attachment.' Publishers Weekly

'An endearing LGBTQ+ novel perfect for middle graders.' Kirkus Reviews

'Readers will be able to relate to Stevie's struggles with her mental health and the challenges of friendship and growing up.' School Library Journal

Publisher: Little Island Books

Pub date: 2025-08-12

Length: 168 pages