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Historical fiction at its finest
January 2022 Book of the Month | A Julia Eccleshare Pick of the Month January 2022
With a strong Welsh setting and a deep sense of community When the War Came Home sensitively explores the impact of World War One on some of the survivors – both soldiers and civilians. Furious that she has to move home when her mother loses her job, Natty is sure that she is going to hate living with her cousins in a different Welsh valley. Everything, especially school, is very different. But Natty’s view of her new home is changed because she meets two young men who have come back from fighting in the First World War. The war may be over but her cousin Huw still suffers great grief from losing his best friend as well as terrible flashbacks when there are loud bangs while Johnny, a young boy from the local hospital for ex-soldiers, doesn’t even know who he is. Natty is determined to help both the boys and to solve a mystery. It is an excellent story which gives a thoughtful insight into the long term effects of war.
Julia Eccleshare's Picks for January 2022
Monster! Hungry! Phone! by Sean Taylor and Fred Benaglia
When the War Came Home by Lesley Parr
Me, In Between by Julya Rabinowich, translated by Claire Storey
Season of Secrets by Sally Nicholls
The First World War has ended, but it hasn't gone away. When Natty has to move to a new village, she meets two young soldiers who are still battling the effects of war. Huw can't forget the terrible things he's seen, but Johnny doesn't even remember who he is.
As Natty tries to keep a secret and unravel a mystery, she finds her own way to fight for what she believes in - and learns that some things should never be forgotten ... This mesmerising historical mystery includes an interactive clue so readers can unravel the mystery alongside the characters.
In addition to our Lovereading4Kids expert opinion some of our Reader Review Panel were also lucky enough to read and review this title. You can click here to read the full reviews.
Great book that you don’t want to book down Full review
'A heartfelt, hopeful tale of the human spirit's incredible ability to recover - Emma Carroll
This wonderful second novel firmly establishes Lesley as one of our finest writers of historical fiction. We should talk about her in the same way we talk about Hilary McKay, Emma Carroll & Tom Palmer ... I hope it reaches the wide audience that it truly deserves - Phil Earle
Praise for The Valley of Lost Secrets;
With echoes of Carrie's War and Goodnight Mister Tom, Parr brings her own fresh voice to what already feels like a wartime classic. This story is quietly brutal and brilliantly heartfelt. I absolutely ADORED it. - Emma Carroll, author of Letters from the Lighthouse
Atmospheric, direct and gripping, with a superbly assured narrative voice, this book is woven through with powerful themes: grief, belonging and making peace with the past. - Guardian
Beautifully told ... This appealing book is about losses healed, lies uncovered, cruelty defeated and goodness rewarded - Children's Book of the Week, The Sunday Times
ISBN: 9781526621009
Publication date: 06/01/2022
Publisher: Bloomsbury Childrens Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Format: Paperback
| ISBN: | 9781526621009 |
| Publication date: | 6th January 2022 |
| Author: | Lesley Parr |
| Publisher: | Bloomsbury Childrens Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing PLC |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Pagination: | 320 pages |
| Suitable for: | 11+ readers, 9+ readers |
| Genres: | Crime / Mystery, Historical Fiction, Warfare & Battles |
| Recommendations: | Books of the Month, Julia Eccleshare's Picks, Star Books |
| Collections: | 2022 Book Preview: Must Read Books To Look Forward To, |
Lesley grew up in South Wales, at the bottom of a valley and quite near a seaside steelworks. Now she lives in the middle of England (almost as far from the sea as it's possible to get) with her husband and their rescue cat, Angharad. Lesley shares her time between writing stories and teaching at a primary school. Lesley graduated with distinction from Bath Spa University's MA in Writing for Young People. The Valley of Lost Secrets is her first book. @WelshDragonParr
More About Lesley Parr
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