More great reads: the best books for 11 year olds
"A beautifully presented, breathtaking and sensitive novel about the power of nature, sibling bonds and hope after bereavement."
This powerful story of grief and resilience is an excellent choice for readers looking for an emotional novel. Harry and his parents are struggling to cope after the death of his older sister, Frankie. As each is consumed by their own grief, the likelihood of ever feeling happy or united again feels increasingly unlikely. But the ravens outside Frankie’s bedroom window slowly start to give Harry a focus and a glimmer of hope.
The positive impact of nature and natural world connections is an important theme; the reader will undoubtedly join Harry in his concern for the birds he tends. I particularly appreciated that the birds remained wild and weren’t written to be cute, tame or humanlike emotions, something a lesser writer might have struggled to commit to.
Similarly, Harry is not always a likeable main character, on occasion he wilfully lies and manipulates his parents and friends. This adds an extra layer of authenticity and rawness to the novel – his family tragedy has not transformed him into an angel, and the walls he has built around him will be difficult to tear down.
Tom de Freston’s powerful, monochromatic illustrations add a great deal of rawness and beauty to the reading experience. His clever use of tracing paper adds a slightly ethereal feel, whilst thoughtful placement evoked at least one choked gasp from me.
Comparisons to the modern classic A Monster Calls are inevitable and well deserved. With characters that will touch your heart, this is a book that will remain with you long after the last page.
When Harry's big sister Frankie dies, his world shatters - until a baby raven arrives and changes everything. An enthralling and heartwarming story from the bestselling, award-winning creators of Julia and the Shark, this is a deluxe hardback with dazzling purple and black illustrations.
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Remarkable gift to the world: a young boy develops a close bond with a raven to help him through the grief of his sister's death.
What a gift to the world this book is: both for its prose and also for its design and illustrations. Its the first time I’ve ever come across illustrations drawn on see-through paper. I still don’t quite understand exactly why they are there: dream, viewing something from another side, but they are remarkable. Set over the course of a year or so and separated into four sections, each of a season, this story tells the reader of the heartbreak and emotional despair that Harry (and his family) goes through when dealing with the death of his beloved older sister, Frankie. Due to this context, the story is very difficult to read in many places and becomes very dark and would therefore only be recommended for children of 12+.... Read Full Review
When Harry's big sister Frankie dies, his world shatters - until a baby raven arrives and changes everything. An enthralling and heartwarming story from the bestselling, award-winning creators of Julia and the Shark, this is a deluxe hardback with dazzling purple and black illustrations.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Raven's Gift and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-14 years old
The Raven's Gift features in the following genres: Featured Books for 11+ readers, Featured Books for 13+ readers, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Animal Stories, PSHE: Bereavement and Grief, PSHE: Family Issues, PSHE: Siblings, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Gift Books, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage stationery and miscellaneous items
Paperback, Hardback. £13.49, down from the £14.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Raven's Gift was written by Kiran Millwood Hargrave and published by Starboard an imprint of Hachette Children's Group
The Raven's Gift has 204 pages
£13.49, reduced from £14.99. In Stock.
