"Find your voice in the waves in a heartfelt and hopeful story of family, friendship, and learning to accept change from the critically-acclaimed partnership, Sarah Ann Juckes and Sharon King-Chai, selected for Waterstones Children's Book of the Month with The Night Animals.
Martha was raised on her nana's stories. Even if no one else believes them, Martha knows that they're magic. Now those stories are helping Martha hold things together when everything around her is falling apart - out-of-towners moving into her family's old house, her nana's mysterious illness, and the tourists flooding the town who don't seem to care about the sea or the animals it's home to.
But Martha has found one creature who understands - a black seal pup that seems to appear whenever Martha needs it most. Could she be the key to fixing everything that's wrong, or will Martha need to fight her way through the storm herself?
Illustrated by the award-winning Sharon King-Chai, Sarah Ann Juckes' emotional novel follows a young girl trying to protect her family and her community, who must learn that not all changes are bad. For fans of The Last Bear and Julia and the Shark.
Praise for Sarah Ann Juckes
'Will break your heart and mend it together again' ― Piers Torday on The Hunt for the Nightingale
'Full of hope, beauty & ultimately a healing song to nature' ― Hannah Gold on The Hunt for the Nightingale
'An incredibly moving story of feeling lost and finding your way again' ― Lisa Thompson on The Hunt for the Nightingale
'An iridescent story that shines with hope and love' ― Katya Balen on The Night Animals
'A beautiful story about ghosts, friendship, and the courage it takes to ask for help' ― Emma Carroll on The Night Animals "
"Uncover the ghost animals within in this moving and uplifting story about finding help where you need it, from the highly acclaimed author and illustrator of The Hunt for the Nightingale.
Nora's mum has good days and bad days, but the bad days are getting worse. It's been just the two of them for always, and they don't need anyone else. When the rainbow-shimmering ghost animals Nora used to see when she was small start to reappear, she's convinced that they hold all the answers. Along with new friend Kwame, Nora follows a glittering ghostly fox, hare, raven and otter on the adventure of a lifetime, helping her to find the strength she needs to help her family.
In a heartbreaking and hopeful narrative, Sarah Ann Juckes' stunning novel, illustrated by the award-winning Sharon King-Chai sees a brave young girl face down her ghosts. For fans of The Last Bear and Julia and the Shark.
Praise for Hunt for the Nightingale
'Full of hope, beauty & ultimately a healing song to nature' Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear
'An incredibly moving story of feeling lost and finding your way again' Lisa Thompson, author of Rollercoaster Boy
'Will break your heart and mend it back together again' Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild
'This poignant exploration of grief and denial seen through the eyes of a child is underpinned by lessons about kindness, acceptance and nature' Daily Mail"
"Discover the healing power of nature in one boy's heartbreaking and hopeful journey back from the wilderness.
Bird fact no. 30: a nightingale song is one of the most beautiful sounds on the planet.
Ten-year-old Jasper has been waiting all spring for his beloved nightingale to return to his garden and sing. But it's not there, and neither is his sister, Rosie. His parents seem sad and preoccupied, so gathering his courage, his backpack and his treasured Book of Birds, Jasper sets out alone on a walk to find them both. The expedition takes Jasper through town and country, meeting a host of characters who are also searching for lost things. Helping his new friends, Jasper begins to see that he may not find what he is looking for when he reaches the journey's end, but even in the darkest of moments, a nightingale's song can be heard somewhere.
A love letter to the natural world, Sarah Ann Juckes' stunning middle grade novel will leave you with tears in your eyes and a heart full of hope. For fans of Pax, Wonder and Wild Child."
