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Little Bits of Sky

"A beautifully characterised and engaging story about chidren going through the care system during the Thatcher years, and how friendship and sibling relationships sustained them through growing up and finding a home"

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LoveReading4Kids Says

LoveReading4Kids Says

Shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award 2017 | Shortlisted for the UKLA 2017 Book Award

This moving story of looked-after children describes the difficulties they face, but is nonetheless uplifting. Ira and her little brother Zac live in Skilly House, what Tracy Beaker would call a dumping ground.  There are things they like about it including the staff, kindly Hortense and Silas who was in care himself, though not stern Mrs Clark.

They love the garden, with its huge tree. Carved into the trunk is a name, Glenda Hyacinth, 1947. Ira decides Glenda must be a ghost (the story is set in the late 1980s) and imagines she sees her playing in the garden. Holiday visits to a lady in the country lead to a permanent home, but Ira is sad to leave Skilly House, especially as by then she’s learned something surprising about Glenda.

Children will be caught up in Ira and Zac’s story from the first page, and will understand them perfectly by the last.

Subtle and beautifully told this will appeal to readers who have enjoyed The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson. 

Andrea Reece
Reviewed by Andrea Reece
Andrea Reece has spent almost her entire working life in children’s books, first as publisher, latterly as consultant, project manager and critic.
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About Little Bits of Sky

It's 1987 and Ira and Zac are being uprooted once again, this time to Skilly House, a home for social care children. Their lives over the next few years are beautifully realised amongst the antipathy of the authorities, the drama of the poll tax riots and the moments of peace and hope Ira finds at Skilly and further afield. This is memorable and moving tale about growing up, making friends and finding a home.

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