Really enjoyed this non-saccharine and anti 'inspiration porn' chronic illness story that, while being 'about' the main character's struggles with her diagnosis and treatment, is also anchored in common teen experiences. The book will therefore be easily relatable to and enjoyable for a wide audience, and likely to widen understanding of bowel conditions and living with stoma. I'd recommend it to readers in KS3 and above, particularly those who enjoy friendship stories, romance and drama - this will not disappoint!.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

Freya has woken from surgery with an unexpected ileostomy bag. If this wasn't enough to get her hear around, her parents are sending her to a camp especially for children with bowel disease and to say she's not thrilled with the idea would be an enormous understatement.

Aside from the bowel disease element, this reads like a typical YA teen drama novel, which is, I think, what makes it so good. You can read this and get a huge amount out of it without ever having to deal with any of the issues faced by the characters but equally, if I knew a young person struggling with the sort of stuff Freya and her camp mates are, I can't think of a better way to show them that it can be ok. There's no magic, no epic revelations, just a load of kids being kids and accepting themselves and each other. Brilliant.

This book was reviewed as part of my 'What I Read in September' wrap up on my YouTube channel. The review can be found here https://youtu.be/AzV15nLK_Eo

A few months ago, I was thinking about how there is so little fiction about people living with (things like) stomas. In my line of work, we often perform life-saving procedures – ileostomies, tracheostomies, splenectomies, amputations – and afterwards people go back into the world with their lives forever changed. Saved, but changed.

In an emergency (which it often is), a patient comes in unconscious or semi-conscious, and we rely on the consent of their next of kin. That means we are unable to fully counsel the actual patient getting the procedure.

It is the nature of our work, the nature of major emergency surgery, and I really believe that we do try our best to do what is right for our patients. Even so, not only do we not really know what people experience afterwards, but their friends, family, and communities don’t know, either.

SO. Not long after these thoughts, Sh*t Bag by Xena Knox appeared on Netgalley, and I was beyond excited to review it. Sh*t Bag is a YA novel about Freya, a Scottish school girl with ulcerative colitis. She collapses due to a bowel perforation, and emerges post-operatively sans colon, and with an ileostomy (i.e. a bag of poop). Fun!

Freya must learn to live with, as she puts it, “a portable boo bottle on your tummy”. But it is more than the logistics of having to empty her bag in a public loo, or change a bag away from home. It is also dealing with the typical teenage bullying, which results in her nickname, “Sh*t Bag”.

Enter a camp for “ostomates” (I love me a story set at camp), friends with similar conditions, and a whole lot of character development. Freya learns about boundary setting and bodily autonomy, and it is fantastic.

I really enjoyed Sh*t Bag. I am so excited that there is a book like this out there, and I hope that many people – those with and without chronic bowel conditions – will read and learn from this. Including healthcare professionals.

A really interesting and thoughtful story about coming to terms with a life altering event that affects health, family, friendships and more. I found this so unique, and liked the main character a lot, especially after she "got over" herself a bit. I found the honesty and medical aspects really interesting and important, instead of shying away from this to make the story more relatable, they were explicit in explaining the physical body changes and how things are with a stoma. Really interesting and funny, and a satisfying ending.

This superbly funny book is a tale of self acceptance as our main character goes on a journey to acknowledge what has happened to her. The journey is by no means smooth and some of the people around her make it even harder with the horrible and unkind behaviour they show her. But overall it is hopeful, laugh out loud funny, cringeworthy, touching and important. Firmly recommend.

Representation matters.

Sh!t Bag is the story of a teenage girl who due to complications with ulcerative colitis had to get an ileostomy. Me. I'm that girl.

Okay, I'm not the protagonist of this story but like 1 in 300 people in the UK I have a stoma. However, in my lifetime I have only read 4 books where the character has a stoma and if I am honest 2 of them weren't positive. Therefore, it is great to read a book that shows the positive impact having a stoma can have on a person's quality of life.

Sh!t Bag focuses on Freya, a teenage girl who feels like her world has been turned upside down when she has to have emergency surgery to remove her diseased intestine. Every negative thought a person can have about having a stoma - she has x10. However, through the story Freya learns that the grass isn't always greener on the other side and she begins to see how empowering having a stoma can be and the positive impact on her lifestyle.

Honestly, Sh!t Bag was the book that I didn't know I needed. Even though I am absolutely happy and content with my stoma (which by the way is called Paloma) it was amazing to read such a positive story and one that was so accurate in detail (loperamide, anyone?).

I am grateful to Xena Knox for writing this story.

Sh!t Bag by Xena Knox is available now.

For more information regarding Xena Knox (@XenaKnox) please visit he Instagram page.

For more information regarding Hachette Children's Group (@HachetteKids) please visit www.hachettechildrens.co.uk.

I recently read an incredibly honest and transparent book about a teenager's journey towards self-acceptance while living with a stoma bag, which is a highly stigmatised disability. The author, Knox, draws from her own experiences, making the book feel very authentic. I've never come across a book like this before, and it does an excellent job of addressing the stigma surrounding ileostomy bags directly.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. So I just wrapped up "Shit Bag" by Xena Knox, and I've got some thoughts to share.

The story follows Freya, who has her world turned upside down when she ends up with a temporary ileostomy bag after collapsing. Say goodbye to her dream summer in the Algarve; instead, she's shipped off to 'Poo Camp,' where kids dealing with bowel issues come together.
Don't get me wrong, the premise has its moments. The idea of 'Poo Camp' is both amusing and oddly intriguing. And Freya's struggle to cope with her new reality adds a layer of authenticity to her character.

But here's the thing, the execution falls a bit flat at times. While there are moments that truly capture the frustration and emotion Freya is going through, some parts feel a tad forced. The whole 'Sh!t Bag' nickname scenario, for example, feels a bit exaggerated, and it's hard to believe it would catch on that quickly.

Freya's journey of self discovery is a highlight. Her interactions with campmate Chris bring out some genuine and heartwarming moments. Their dynamic adds depth to the story, making you root for Freya's growth.

The pacing could have used some fine tuning. At times, it feels like the story meanders a bit, and then suddenly races to wrap things up neatly. A bit more consistency in the pacing would've been great.

"Shit Bag" is a unique take on navigating challenges and embracing change, but it doesn't quite hit the mark.

Sh!t Bag by Xena Knox

If the title of Knox’s young adult novel makes you think of Fleabag, you’re on the right lines. Freya is a feisty teenager with a wicked sense of humour and her narration often feels like it’s breaking the fourth wall.

Instead of spending the summer on a hockey training programme in Portugal, with her best friends and on/off boyfriend Lockie, Freya is recovering from bowel surgery and getting used to life with an ostomy bag.

When her parents abandon her at a remote camp for children with bowel issues in the Scottish Highlands, Freya doesn’t think her summer could get any worse. That is until she finds out that certain people are getting a bit too close in Portugal while she’s fighting off midges and dealing with her sh!t bag.

Knox weaves a very typical teen comedy drama with the very untypical thread of Freya’s condition, making this relatable to all readers and giving those like Freya the representation they’ve sadly missed out on in mainstream media.

Librarian Lowdown:
Very sweary – no more so than actual teenagers – I’d still say it’s Year 8 + appropriate
Some discussion of sex but nothing overt
Obviously deals with bodily functions (and dysfunctions!)

Thank you to Netgalley UK and Hachette Children’s for the digital ARC.

Freya collapsed and woke up with an ileostomy bag on her stomach.

Her perfect summer is gone, she lost her boyfriend and gained a bad nickname.

Now she has to deal with her condition and all of the challenges that it brings, instead of enjoying a carefree summer.

I wanted to love the book, it sound so good, but I just couldn't get into it.

Thank you so much to @netgalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest opinion 🤞

Teenager Freya collapses and wakes up in the hospital to a "Freya your large intestine will be removed and you will have a Ileostomy bag"

Freya is in high school, she is on the hockey team, their trip to Portugal is coming up, the school's formal dance, AND she is ON with her on and off again boyfriend Lockie.... This CANNOT BE HAPPENING?

Sadly for Freya, things can actually get worse... Someone starts calling her SHITBAG at school and sadly the nickname catches on...

Struggling, angry and frustrated Freya's parents enroll her in 'Poo camp' a camp where kids with similar experiences can bond and help each other through.

Freya spends 1 whole week at camp poo, and learns alot about herself, her choices and her situation....

My thoughts....

What an unexpected read this was

I gravitated towards this book on @netgalley, it just sounded like something I, 1. know nothing about and 2. Wildly comical.

You honestly feel for Freya, as an adult this would be so hard to deal with, but as a teen whose pre programmed to be MAD at the world with hormones and VERY STRONG emotions, this must feel a whole lot worse.

I could never relate to this, but you can actually feel her frustration through the pages, you could feel her resistance and anger towards this LIFE CHANGING thing that has happened to her.

Freya's comical outlook and internal dialogue are just a riot and had me laughing out loud at times.

If you are looking for a short, comical take on something serious and can take a bit of teenage angst, I would recommend this one

Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy of this book.

The plot: Freya is a Scottish teenager with an ileostomy bag. This has led to her being given quite an unfortunate nickname by her peers: Sh!t Bag. The book sees her navigate life and love whilst having this bag, seeing her come into her own when she goes to a camp for fellow young people with ileostomy and colostomy bags.

The positives: Books about young people with medical conditions that can educate, entertain and develop empathy are always a fantastic addition to the YA literary canon and I will always welcome them. This story was definitely original, with a charismatic and feisty narrative voice that definitely feels realistic to how young people speak and the title alone could definitely result in young people picking it up. I'd pitch it at Year 9 and above as it has a lot of swearing.

Why I gave three stars: Honestly at first the book had me feeling a little squeamish as it gets quite medically descriptive so that took me by surprise. The book took me a while to finish as well, I wasn't completely engrossed that I really wanted to finish it. I found the ending a little abrupt as well.

Conclusion: Again I can definitely see this book finding an audience, as books about illnesses like The Fault In Our Stars did, this could be the less depressing and more sassy alternative maybe? Xena Knox definitely is an exciting new YA author that could be one to watch!

It is arguably rare these days for many of us not to have baggage, however, having a colostomy bag when you’re 16, in the middle of sitting for your GCSE’s when sport and boys are your main ‘passion’ is not the ideal situation. Being a teenager can be brutal at the best of times, never mind when sporting the activities of your colon on the outside, with no element of gastrointestinal control.

Though when faced with adversity you learn to appreciate what IS important, who is important and who treats you like you are important. It is not fair for someone so young to learn such perspective, but it is invaluable all the same.

Sh!t Bag is an endearing look at dealing with challenges, friendships, honesty, teenage chaos and finding humour in the darkest of places.

Sharp, fresh and funny! I was laugh-crying through most of it. I wish it had been out when I was a teenager, cannot wait for my own nieces and nephews to grow up a bit so I can gift this to them. Completely and utterly recommend.

Vibrant, unafraid and graphic portrait of teenage bowel hell. Funny as hell with it.

Yes, the title got me. But like Fleabag, it's provocative and an absolute laugh-a-page. Rarely has so much wit been thrust into the mouths of bolshy, hurting teens at such a pace.

Freya is pretty fresh from bowel surgery and barely able to look at, let alone touch the ileostomy bag doing the job of her large intestine for her when she's told about her new nickname amongst their school cohort. Her on-off boyfriend is a part of it, and is clearly not coping well with her new status and inability to play hockey or even eat normally. And now her parents are sending her to a camp in Scotland for young people with bowel problems, and she's missing the hockey team's summer trip to Europe. It couldn't get much worse.

So we join Freya, or Sh*tbag as she asks to be called when she gets to camp. We join her in the bathroom, in the dining hall. We see how hard things are constantly - to eat and use the toilet, to wash, to do anything normal. And we see her railing against her bad luck but also seeing those around her and how they are coping with their own similar problems.

It wouldn't be a YA book without a love interest problem or two, without some family and friend issues, so we also see what Freya does with what she learns about herself and her body after camp ends, and how her story continues. I'm not spoiling anything for you. You'll have to read it.

I'm fairly sure most teenage readers will cope marvellously with the graphic bathroom descriptions - it's half the point of the book I would say - and the wonderful linguistic ability of Freya will have them sniggering through anyway, as she drags her "rickety drip-stand with me like I'm a geriatric Bo Peep" or speaks to readers directly: "yeah okay, I probably went a bit too far on that previous detail but you're either in or you're out on this story. Come along with me on this foul, sh*tty ride or bail out now. It's your choice." We're in Freya, we're in.

This was illuminating and a cut above (sorry Freya, probably not a phrase you'll like). There are some rather inspiring young characters and a lot of entertainment to be found in the material.

For ages 12 and above. Swearing pervades!

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

CW: Graphic bodily function description, chronic illness, bullying

ShitBag follows the story of Freya - a sarcastic and quick teen, whose life turns upside down when she has to get an ostomy bag.

I knew very little about life with an ostomy bag before reading this book - and not only did I learn lots in a non-preachy/ dull way, but I was entertained. The teenagers spoke like real teenagers, and there was huge character growth. You really feel for Freya - even when she is having her angsty moments, it is totally believable. Another review describes it as "fresh, poignant and hilarious" - and I completely agree.

This is an excellent book that I would recommend to teens - perhaps Yr9+, but only because of the language ShitBag uses and the CW's mentioned. Content wise, it's closer to Yr8+, I think. I already have students in mind that I want to recommend this to.

Sh!t bag was a powerful story showing a character with a condition I previously knew nothing about. I found this part of the story fascinating to find out about how characters like Freya deal with the challenges of having a bag. When she went to a camp to other young people with bowel problems, I felt that there was going to be lots of potential for a good story there, but I actually found this part of the book quite dull and thinking that it would be more interesting to find out about her 'real world' experiences like school. We did then see this in the second half of the book which I did enjoy more but for me it ended up feeling like two separate books. I also found Freya incredibly unlikeable and I couldn't root for her to triumph when I just found her quite rude. This may have been because of her coping with her condition but if this was the case, it would have been interesting to see her before her diagnosis and after.

SH!T BAG was a hilarious, hopeful but also brutally honest look at living with an ileostomy bag. It is an excellent YA contemporary story, with a strong coming of age narrative intertwined with refreshingly nuanced disability representation.

This was just such a refreshingly honest and no holds barred look at life with a disability, particularly with living with an ileostomy bag. Freya’s journey was so authentic, going through that process of learning to live with and accept your condition. It is a heart-breakingly raw and vulnerable process, with various emotions and rollercoaster moments along the way. Knox imbues every page with that vivacious and sometimes sardonically humorous outlook. It is very Fleabag style, with that wry smile to the reader. The writing style is so easy to follow and flows impeccably well, with pacing and character development that shines.

I completely lost myself in Freya’s story, rooting for every character and losing a little piece of my heart to each of them. She was a cracking protagonist, guiding you through this journey alongside every one of her painful, passionate and precarious steps. It was just so nice to see disability and chronic conditions treated with such nuance and for every character to be three-dimensional, flawed and just messily human. There is such a tendency to stereotype disabled people and forget to treat them as the people they are, making this representation just sing with joy. This is a book that delves a lot into a specific chronic condition, but as Freya learns, this is not what should solely define you. Knox is creating an impactful statement and doing it through love and humour, which fills me with happiness and hope for future representation.

SH!T BAG is quintessential YA: funny, flirtatious and fabulously frank story that deserves so much love.