The Best of Everything, My Name Is Leon, Six Foot Six 3 Books Collection Set - Fiction - Paperback

Titles in This Set:
The Best of Everything
My Name Is Leon
Six Foot Six

Format: Paperback

Overview:
This three-book collection from Kit de Waal brings together intimate, compassionate narratives that illuminate everyday courage within family life. The Best of Everything follows Paulette, a devoted mother whose world is upended when tragedy and circumstance force her to expand what “the best” means for her child Bird and for a vulnerable grandson Nellie. My Name Is Leon is told in the clear-eyed voice of an eight-year-old boy navigating the foster-care system, racing against time and bias in 1980s Britain as he seeks stability for his brother Jake and a sense of belonging for himself. Six Foot Six, a compact Quick Reads edition, continues with de Waal’s signature blend of warmth and social insight, inviting readers into questions of identity, community, and resilience. Across these pages, you’ll meet characters who choose kindness in the face of hardship and discover the quiet power of chosen family. The set is a heartfelt introduction to one of contemporary fiction’s most empathetic voices.

What Makes This Collection Worth Owning:
Collecting three books from Kit de Waal in one carefully curated set delivers a cohesive reading journey through themes of care, belonging, and moral courage. You gain a clear throughline from Paulette’s acts of nurture to Leon’s vulnerability in the care system, culminating in a concise, accessible Quick Reads title that invites new readers to the author’s world. The collection offers breadth and depth: rich character studies, socially resonant contexts, and a unifying emphasis on humanity’s capacity to look after one another. It’s an ideal gift for readers who value literary realism, nuanced parenting stories, and books that spark conversation about society, class, race, and resilience. Owning the complete trio also provides convenient, reliable value for readers who like to binge read authorial voices with a shared emotional thread.

Books Included in This Collection:
The Best of Everything
Paulette’s life unfolds with the rhythm of care and obligation as she builds a home for Bird and ultimately opens her heart to Nellie, a child in need who arrives through an unexpected bond with a man she briefly befriends. De Waal’s portrayal of Paulette’s generosity—paired with the grit required to navigate judgment and duty—creates a tender, unforgettable portrait of motherhood and community. This novel explores what it means to give the best of yourself when your margins are tight, and how one decision can ripple through generations with quiet, lasting impact. A powerful reminder that kindness, even when costly, can redefine what family really means.

My Name Is Leon
Leon narrates the experience of a mixed-race boy who becomes a foster child as his mother battles illness and the social systems designed to help or hinder. Set against the backdrop of 1981 Handsworth and the broader climate of foster care, the novel chronicles how Leon’s loyalty to his brother Jake, his evolving sense of identity, and the help of compassionate adults shape his path. It’s a deeply humane exploration of belonging, resilience, and the rough edges of a bureaucracy that can fail the very children it’s meant to protect. The result is both heartrending and hopeful, with Leon’s voice offering clarity, humor, and enduring courage.

Six Foot Six
This Quick Reads edition distills Kit de Waal’s storytelling into a concise, accessible form without sacrificing emotional depth. It centers on family and belonging, inviting readers to ponder how we define home and who we become when faced with life’s uncertainties. The text’s compact size makes it an ideal entry point for new readers or those seeking a powerful, quick literary experience that still carries de Waal’s hallmark empathy and social awareness. A perfect complement to the longer works in the collection, Six Foot Six reinforces the themes of care, identity, and community in a fresh, approachable way.

Who This Set Is Perfect For:
Adult readers and book clubs seeking character-driven fiction that examines love, resilience, and social realities will find this trio especially rewarding. It’s ideal for fans of contemporary domestic drama, readers interested in foster care and family dynamics, and anyone who appreciates literature that treats everyday lives with dignity and nuance. The collection also suits gifting purposes for readers exploring identity and belonging, as well as educators and librarians looking for a thematically cohesive, discussion-ready set. With its UK paperback editions, it’s a reliable gateway into Kit de Waal’s acclaimed body of work.

Key Benefits:

• Three thematically linked novels in one value-packed collection
• Shows a range of perspectives on family, care, and resilience
• Includes a compact Quick Reads title for quicker, accessible reading
• Thoughtful, conversation-provoking fiction for book clubs
• Gifting-ready set for readers who love powerful, humane storytelling

About the Author:
Kit de Waal is a British-Irish novelist and short-story writer renowned for compassionate, socially engaged fiction. Her debut novel, My Name Is Leon, published in 2016, received widespread recognition and shortlisting for major awards. De Waal’s work draws on her background in foster care and the legal system, infusing her characters with authenticity and empathy. She has published short stories and a collection, Supporting Cast, and has contributed to discussions about working-class representation in literature. Her humane voice and keen eye for detail have made her one of the most respected voices in contemporary UK fiction, with a talent for turning difficult topics into deeply human reading experiences.

Why You’ll Love This Set:
If you crave literature that respects its characters and invites reflection, this collection is for you. The trio offers emotional breadth—from the intimate mother-child bonds of The Best of Everything to the young, observant eye of Leon in My Name Is Leon, and the compact, accessible Six Foot Six—each title reinforcing the others’ themes while standing strong on its own. It’s a premium, thoughtful package that feels like a complete reading journey, ideal for personal shelves, gift-giving, or group discussions that dig into family, belonging, and the power of kindness.

Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.