Skip to content

When You Lose it by Roxy and Gay Longworth Extract and Discussion Guide

A reading guide plus extract for When You Lose it by Gay Longworth.

About the book

Roxy was 13 years old when she was coerced then blackmailed into sending explicit photos, which were spread around her school. The shame led to self-loathing. The blame led to a psychotic breakdown. Roxy started hearing voices. Then she started seeing things…

What happens when your teenager starts to lose it, and then you lose each other? What happens when you can’t tell your mother you desperately need help? And how can a family move past a devastating mental health crisis?

When You Lose It is a brutally honest true story, written from two perspectives, of consent, coercion and shattering consequences.

News

Book clubs – Get Ready to Connect! How to make the most from the site

The Book Club Hub, formerly known as Reading Groups for Everyone, is packed with amazing features to keep you and your fellow readers connected — not just within your club, but with the entire Book Club Hub community. Find out how to have members join your online book club.

Resources

Read to the Beat Collection - Book Information

The Reading Agency and public libraries are working to change this with the Summer Reading Challenge – a FREE, UK-wide programme. Last year, over 575,000 children took part with nearly 12 million books being read. Sing from the rooftops! We’re so thrilled that the theme for the Summer Reading Challenge 2026 will be music. Our exciting partnership with Universal Music Group UK will open doors for children to explore the creative power of reading and music. The link between music and...

News

Taiwan Travelogue wins the International Booker Prize 2026

Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ and translated by Lin King, has been named the winner of the International Booker Prize 2026.

View our other programmes