The novel The Deepest Breath is by Irish author Meg Grehan and features a young girl, Stevie, who is working through her feelings for Chloe, a girl in her class. In this extract, Stevie, who is the narrator of the story, is talking to an adult called Susan about how she feels.
As you read, make a note of how the author presents the story on the page. What type of text does this story look most like to you: (a) a novel (b) a play or (c) a poem. Explain your answer to the class.
THE DEEPEST BREATH by Meg Grehan
I sigh
And put my mug down ‘Please don’t call my mum Not yet’
I cross my fingers Under my chair
‘I just need a little more time’ 76
‘What for?’ She asks
‘Research’ I say
And she grins
Like I’ve said the exact right thing ‘And what are you researching?’
And I open my mouth To say Fish
I am researching Fish
But instead My tongue My teeth My lips
Conspire against me And my traitorous mouth Blurts out
