"The Trouble with Goats and Sheep" (2016): Cannon’s debut novel became an immediate success, earning praise for its wit, insight, and emotional depth. The story is set in a quiet suburban neighborhood and follows two young girls, Grace and Tilly, as they try to uncover the mystery of a missing neighbor. The novel explores themes of community, secrets, and the complexities of human relationships, using a child’s perspective to tell a story about the adult world. The book was well-received and became a Sunday Times bestseller, and it was longlisted for the Desmond Elliott Prize.
"Three Things About Elsie" (2018): Cannon's second novel also gained widespread acclaim. It tells the story of Flo, an elderly woman living in a care home, who begins to question her memories and the events surrounding her friend Elsie's life. The novel explores themes of memory, friendship, aging, and the search for truth. Like her debut, "Three Things About Elsie" delves into the emotional complexity of its characters, particularly older women, with a mix of humor and heartache.
Cannon’s writing is accessible yet profound, making her a significant figure in British literary fiction. Her ability to blend humor, pathos, and psychological depth has earned her a growing readership and critical attention, and she continues to be a prominent author in the literary landscape.
England, 1976. Mrs. Creasy is missing and the Avenue is alive with whispers. The neighbors blame her sudden disappearance on the heat wave, but ten-year-olds Grace and Tilly aren't convinced. As the summer shimmers endlessly on, the girls decide to take matters into their own hands. Inspired by the local vicar, they go looking for God--they believe that if they find Him they might also find Mrs. Creasy and bring her home. Spunky, spirited Grace and quiet, thoughtful Tilly go door to door in search of clues. The cul-de-sac starts to give up its secrets, and the amateur detectives uncover much more than ever imagined. As they try to make sense of what they've seen and heard, a complicated history of deception begins to emerge. Everyone on the Avenue has something to hide, a reason for not fitting in. In the suffocating heat of the summer, the ability to guard these differences becomes impossible. Along with the parched lawns and the melting pavement, the lives of all the neighbors begin to unravel. What the girls don't realize is that the lies told to conceal what happened one fateful day about a decade ago are the same ones Mrs. Creasy was beginning to peel back just before she disappeared.
Grace’s Perspective: How does the novel’s structure, told from Grace’s point of view, influence the reader's understanding of the characters and the events? How does Grace’s innocence and curiosity impact how we interpret the adult characters around her?
The Role of Mrs. Creasey: Mrs. Creasey’s disappearance is central to the novel. What does her absence reveal about the community? How do the residents of the neighborhood react to her disappearance, and what does this tell us about the relationships between the characters?
Family Dynamics: How does Grace's relationship with her parents evolve over the course of the book? What do you think of the way her parents interact with her, and how does their behavior reflect the larger themes of secrecy and miscommunication?
Secrecy in the Neighborhood: The novel explores the theme of secrets in the small suburban community. What role does gossip play in the story? How do the characters react to the hidden truths in their lives, and what does this say about the nature of trust and human connection?
The Metaphor of Goats and Sheep: What significance do the "goats" and "sheep" hold in the story? How do these animals serve as a metaphor for the characters and the society in which they live? Who could be considered the "goats" or the "sheep," and why?
The Role of Community: How do the relationships between the people in the neighborhood reflect a sense of community? In what ways does the neighborhood act as a microcosm for larger societal issues, such as conformity, judgment, and the need for belonging?
The Adult World Through a Child’s Eyes: How does the novel juxtapose the perspective of childhood innocence with the complexity of adult relationships? How does Grace’s curiosity and limited understanding affect her interpretation of the events around her?
Judging Others: Many of the characters in the novel make snap judgments about others. What do you think the novel is saying about how we judge people based on appearances, rumors, or assumptions? Are there any characters who break out of these molds?
Moral Ambiguity: Are there characters in the book who challenge your understanding of right and wrong? How do the complex choices and actions of some characters complicate the idea of morality in the story?
The Resolution: How does the ending of the novel resolve the central mystery of Mrs. Creasey’s disappearance? Were you satisfied with the way the story wrapped up? Why or why not?
The Meaning of Grace’s Journey: In what ways does Grace grow over the course of the novel? What do you think the book is ultimately trying to say about the process of understanding others, and oneself?
The Dual Timelines: How does the alternating between past and present help build suspense and reveal key information gradually? How does this structure impact the pacing of the story and the revelation of its secrets?
Use of Humor: The novel contains a blend of humor and pathos. How does Cannon use humor to balance the darker themes in the story? How does humor help the reader connect with the characters and lighten some of the more serious subject matter?
Hampton Heights by 
Everyone Here Is Lying by 
We Came to Welcome You by 
The Family Across the Street by 
Westwood Public Library