More great reads: the best books for 9 year olds
"This inventive, page-turning treasure-hunt mystery celebrates finding your voice, and the magic of aunties, community and friendship."
Following its protagonist’s joyous journey to an empowering fresh start, Nadine Aisha Jassat’s The Hidden Story of Estie Noor is a beautifully-written, mystery-packed novel-in-verse. Interlacing a remarkable breadth of themes with nimble-fingered skill — from feeling unseen and unheard, to embracing mixed-heritage identity — it’s a rather special story.
“It’s not like they say it is,” twelve-year-old Estie implores when she’s expelled from school. But, while Estie just wanted her mother “to hear my voice/the story I was trying to tell”, Mum “couldn’t see me/through the words of everyone else”. Feeling like her story has been “burrowed down/so far inside that now/I don’t know/if I can reach it” Estie is sent to stay with her Aunt Ru in Scotland.
On arrival, Estie shuts herself down, but Aunt Ru’s understanding, and Estie’s friendship with “Super Sleuth” Idris bring her out of her shell, as does her discovery of a paper castle containing a secret message from a stranger who’s also desperate to share the truth of their story. A message that sees Estie and Idris embark on a town-wide treasure hunt to unlock the truth — Operation Story Secret.
Alongside the page-turning mystery of a secret castle crime and a trail of art clues, the relationship that blossoms between Estie and glorious Aunt Ru is an absolute joy. “It’s never too late to change your story”, Ru sagely remarks, which gets to the heart of a heart- warming story that sees Estie do exactly that.
No one wanted to hear Estie's side of the story. Now she's on a mission to make sure the truth is heard . . . A page-turning mystery novel in verse about identity, friendship and learning to use your voice, with accessible text and beautiful illustrations throughout.
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
We've got some great stuff related to this book in our KidsZone.
Head over there and check it out now.
the best books for 9-12 year olds · the best books for teenagers
No one wanted to hear Estie's side of the story. Now she's on a mission to make sure the truth is heard . . .
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Hidden Story of Estie Noor and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Hidden Story of Estie Noor features in the following genres: Crime & Mystery, Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Stories in Verse, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Hidden Story of Estie Noor was written by Nadine Aisha Jassat and published by Orion Children's Books an imprint of Hachette Children's Group
The Hidden Story of Estie Noor has 309 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
