"In a Nutshell: Tender tale of darkness, loss, light and hope for all ages"
One of our 2018 Books of the Year
August 2018 Book of the Month | “All children are afraid of the dark,” says ten-year-old Mafalda sagely, and she knows this more than most, for her world is misting over. At some point in the next six months she will lose her sight to Stargardt Disease. Mafalda tries to get on with life but, as the days pass, the mist’s darkness descends ever faster, leaving her increasingly lonely.
The novel’s universal, book-for-all-ages power has echoes of The Little Prince. Indeed, de Saint-Exupéry’s classic is referenced here by the inspiring one-of-a kind Estella, a school caretaker Mafalda befriends, who advises her to find her rose, “the thing that’s essential to you”, just like the Little Prince. Mafalda measures her vision in paces from a very special cherry tree. And, movingly, the book’s five parts are headed with titles that point to the deterioration of her sight, starting with Part One Seventy Metres, the distance from which she can see the cherry tree as the novel begins.
Estella delivers further vital advice later in the novel: “To live in fear is not to live at all”, and it’s Estella who helps make a truly magical, heart-rending ending. Readers of all ages will be drawn deep into Mafalda’s poignantly pitch-perfect narrative. Younger readers will identity with, for example, how she knows when her parents are discussing something important but can’t quite grasp the meaning, while adult readers will fill in the blanks Mafalda is left puzzling over. Inspired by the author's own experience of Stargardt Disease, this is a dazzlingly tender and timeless tale of love and courage.
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A novel for all ages about a young girl losing her sight, inspired by the author's own
life story. Can Mafalda find a way through a seemingly dark future and still go to school, play football and look after her beloved cat? With the help of her family, and her friends, Mafalda needs to discover the things that will be important to her when her sight has failed. A moving, empowering tale of courage and determination that will inspire young and old.
Fifteen years ago, Paola discovered that she was affected by a rare genetic illness called Stargardt disease, which causes progressive vision loss, and eventually blindness. There is no cure to date.
Stargardt disease affects approximately one in 10,000 people. It affects both males and females. Children often first experience symptoms between the ages of 6 and 12. (Macular Society - www.macularsociety.org 2017)
“I’m going blind. That’s the cold, hard truth. With my brown, rather ordinary eyes I see only a fifth of what other people can see. Literature is my biggest passion. I want to write. I can’t wait any longer. I have eyes inside my hands, and when I’m writing I see even better inside my head.”
Translated by Denise Muir.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-18 years old
The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Featured Books for 13+ readers, PSHE: Health , Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Body and health, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s, Teenage and Educational, PSHE: Special educational needs and disability (SEND), Recommended Children's eBooks, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Featured Books for Young Adults
The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree is available in Paperback
The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree was written by Paola Peretti and published by Hot Key Books
The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree has 199 pages
£7.19
