{"title":"Matt Okine","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the world of Matt Okine, a multi-talented Australian author known for his wit and relatable storytelling. As an award-winning stand-up comedian and actor, Matt brings a unique voice to the literary scene, offering readers a delightful blend of humour and introspective narratives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne of his notable works, \u003cem\u003eBeing Black 'n Chicken, and Chips\u003c\/em\u003e, showcases Matt's ability to weave a compelling tale that resonates with readers across various backgrounds. This book, which has carved its niche in the \u003cstrong\u003eGeneral Fiction\u003c\/strong\u003e category, draws from Matt's personal experiences, delving into themes of identity, belonging, and the humorous complexities of modern life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf you're looking to explore stories that are both entertaining and thought-provoking, Matt Okine's collections on our shelves are worth your time. Whether you're a long-time fan or a new reader, Matt's engaging style and authentic storytelling promise an enjoyable literary journey.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"being-black-n-chicken-and-chips-by-matt-okine-9780733641688","title":"Being Black 'n Chicken, and Chips","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSOON TO BE A MAJOR FEATURE FILM\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA MATT RICHELL AWARD 2020\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'A delicate balancing act of humour and heart ... a heartwarming, heartbreaking and hilarious read' - \u003ci\u003eThe Herald Sun\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'An extremely talented storyteller and comedian...this book is full of heart and humour' - \u003ci\u003eRonny Chieng\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'A compelling novel that is difficult to put down' - \u003ci\u003eBooks + Publishing\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMike Amon is a regular teenager. All he wants is to fit in. He wants to sit at the cool bench. He wants to be a star athlete. He wants his first kiss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eHe also wants his mum to survive.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen his mum is suddenly diagnosed with advanced breast and brain cancer, Mike knows it's a long shot, but if he manages to achieve his dreams, maybe it'll give his mum enough strength to beat an incurable disease.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the meantime, he has to live with his African dad whom he doesn't really know, a man who has strange foreign ways - and who Mike doesn't really feel comfortable sharing his teenage desires and deepest fears with. He doesn't even want to think about what it might mean if his mum never comes home from the hospital.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBased on his award-winning stand-up show, and the loss of his own mother when he was 12, Matt Okine's coming-of-age novel, \u003ci\u003eBeing Black n Chicken and Chips\u003c\/i\u003e, is a funny, heart-warming, and sometimes surreal look at how young people deal with grief, the loss of loved ones, and becoming an adult - all whilst desperately trying to fit in with the other kids.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Intimate and affecting' - \u003ci\u003eClaudia Karvan\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Hilarious, heartfelt, and utterly ridiculous in all the right ways' - \u003ci\u003eAlex Dyson\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46710948888812,"sku":"9780733641688","price":37.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/5117173482449.jpg?v=1754170047"},{"product_id":"being-black-n-chicken-and-chips-by-matt-okine-9780734420671","title":"Being Black 'n Chicken, and Chips","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBeing Black 'n Chicken, and Chips\u003c\/em\u003e by Matt Okine follows Mike Amon, a boy who just wants to fit in. He dreams of being a star athlete, wishes for his dad to stop embarrassing him, longs for his first kiss, and most importantly, he hopes his mum will survive her battle with cancer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhen his mum is diagnosed with advanced cancer, Mike believes that getting his own life right and making her proud might be enough to help her get better. However, this proves to be more challenging than expected. He moves in with his African dad, whose culinary skills are limited to heating frozen chicken nuggets, and faces a school bully targeting him. As he navigates puberty as a late bloomer, he also confronts a serious phobia of jellyfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe girl Mike has a crush on is dealing with her own heartbreak, which leads to a dramatic encounter at the Jetty, resulting in Mike being rushed to hospital with a painful injury. If Mike can't sort out his own problems, how can he possibly save his mum?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBased on Matt Okine's award-winning stand-up show, \u003cem\u003eBeing Black 'n Chicken, and Chips\u003c\/em\u003e is a heart-breaking and hilarious story about trying to grow up when everything around you is falling apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAn extremely talented storyteller and comedian . . . this book is full of heart and humour\u003c\/em\u003e – Ronny Chieng\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHilarious, heartfelt, and utterly ridiculous in all the right ways\u003c\/em\u003e – Alex Dyson\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eIntimate and affecting\u003c\/em\u003e – Claudia Karvan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis book pulses with nostalgia . . . a compelling novel that is difficult to put down\u003c\/em\u003e – Books + Publishing\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46710952329452,"sku":"9780734420671","price":24.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/12907003482449.jpg?v=1754170211"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/matt-okine.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}