HOW I GOT TO NOW
A Coming of Age Juno meets Sliding Doors
The Story
How I Got To Now is the film adapted from the successful YA novel, Proof Positive by Lucy V. Hay.
Lizzie Carmichael is like any other teen who's finished high school. Having enjoyed her last carefree summer with her best friend, she cannot wait to get away from her small seaside town and her over controlling mum. She has big plans too, unlike her mum who's worked all her life in the local dishevelled hotel.. It's all possible - she has great grades and is about to go to one of the best universities. Before the summer is over, while sitting in an empty, graffiti filled public toilet, she discovers she's pregnant.
Could she still have the life she wants, with a baby in tow? Should she tell her baby's father? Should she do this with him or is it easier, without him?
Looking at the graffiti on the back of the door, she feels she's just become another hometown statistic. But she remembers she's living in the modern world. She has choices.
Lizzie's biggest fear is becoming like her mum, her gran, her great grandmother and many Carmichael women before her - teen mums who had to chose motherhood over their dreams.
Lizzie knows what to do - correct her mistake. No one will know and life will continue.
As she sits on the train heading to her new life at university, her social media stream magically predicts her future. Stunned she scrolls through it... "Is this what I want to become?"
But before she can answer, the train comes out of a tunnel and Lizzie finds herself back in the toilet stall. In front of her, a positive pregnant stick and the graffiti of all those who went before. What choice will she make now?
This fast paced British "Juno" meets "Sliding Doors", is a modern coming-of-age tale which explores the magical power words have and the choices they present.
The YA Book:
Proof Positive is a powerful, pro-choice YA that is perfect for fans of John Green, Judy Blume and Sarah Dessen.
PRAISE FOR PROOF POSITIVE:
‘Proof Positive is a powerful and utterly absorbing YA book from author Lucy V Hay, which deals with teen pregnancy in a sensitive and thought-provoking way. This is unexpected, and creative storytelling from someone who is expert at plot and pacing. I was gripped from the first page.’
- Rebecca Denton, author of This Beats Perfect and The Punk Factor
‘Proof Positive that Lucy V Hay is an author of our time. Teenage pregnancy needs to be discussed, and this book places it under the spotlight. A from-the-heart story, told with alternative narratives, this would be a perfect book choice for mother and daughter book groups, or high schools, and would guarantee a lively debate.’
- Ruth Dugdall, author of My Sister And Other Liars and The Things You Didn’t See
‘A beautiful, sensitively-written YA novel where Hay effortlessly captures the voice of eighteen-year-old Lizzie, who finds herself pregnant on the eve of her eighteenth birthday. Though aimed at young adults, I defy anyone of any age to read this and not be moved, not learn something, and not have their eyes opened a little wider. I loved the alternative futures in the narrative, so that there was no judgement or suggestion of what Lizzie should or shouldn't do. And the ending was perfect.’
- Louise Beech, author of Maria In The Moon and How To Be Brave
‘If you enjoy teen fiction then you need to read this book. If you don’t enjoy teen fiction, you still need to read this book. I have, and felt every frustrated, tense, joyous, heart-rending, angry, gleeful moment along with Lizzie and her parents, family and friends.’
– Jenny Kane, author of Abi’s House and Another Cup of Coffee
Selection of Amazon Customer Reviews of the YA book Proof Positive
by Lucy V Hay:
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 June 2021
Loved the unusual structure of this novel - a brilliant way of discussing the issues around teen pregnancy. Raw, emotive and thought-provoking. Will be reading more from this author.
*****Every young person should read this
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 September 2018
This is a remarkable novel taking a variety of viewpoints of a young girl’s pregnancy. There is a tension that builds throughout as what ‘the truth’ may turn out to be. Highly recommended.
*****An absorbing, engaging read that feels really honest... loved it.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 August 2018
OK, so I'll admit, not my usual fare but this was a really neat idea and well executed.... Loved the characters and if I had a teenage daughter, I'd be madly encouraging her to read this book without delay. Felt fresh, real and very honest. And for a lifelong Judy Blume geek such as myself, it was totally convincing. Great stuff!
*****I really enjoyed this book - the first one I've read by ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 June 2018
I really enjoyed this book - the first one I've read by Lucy Hay. The engaging story is JUNO meets SLIDING DOORS (or RUN LOLA RUN,) and moves along at a fantastic pace partially due to wondering which choice the lead will make, but more so because Hay's writing/voice is excellent. Lizzie's internal voice as she describes her world, her choices and her feelings feels authentic and helps create sympathy/empathy for her as she navigates the many choices one has when the little plus sign shows on the pregnancy test.
*****Smart, intriguing, captivating
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 June 2018
I purchased this YA novel for my daughter. With her exams currently on, I decided to read it first and was pleasant surprised, then fascinated by Proof Positive. It’s described as Juno meets Sliding Doors which is a perfect description for the rollercoaster ride it takes you on. Lizzie is a pregnant teen, something that would normally make me switch off. However, her story is captivating and told in a fresh way. In fact, it’s told in different ways and reminds me of one of my favourite movies from the 1990s Sliding Doors. Proof Positive is intelligently written and a novel I am happy to recommend
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 May 2018
A thoughtful exploration of the dilemmas facing any woman with an unexpected pregnancy, particularly through the eyes of the much-stigmatised teenager. What I particularly liked about this book was the many different decisions that shaped Lizzie's paths: How is my partner involved? What support do I want or need from my family? How does my best friend fit into this? What about university/work/money?