"A beautifully told mystery."
A review from our Guest Editor, A. M. Dassu : Swanfall was published on the same day as Wild Journey, both books take their characters on a journey of self-discovery. Pip lives in an isolated cottage and doesn’t really fit in at school, and longs to be accepted. At home, amongst the nature of the wetlands, he can be himself. Pip waits for the annual swanfall, when the flock of Arctic swans migrate for the winter.
When three of his favourite swans don’t return, Pip notices strange footprints in the snow and a sense that someone is watching him.
A beautifully told mystery leads to Pip finding the courage to explore, and become closer to his school friends to follow clues to an ancient Irish curse he thought was a fairytale. Full of empathy and with immersive description, you’ll feel like you’re a part of this wonderous middle-grade story, and want to read all of Kirtley’s books!
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A thrilling new adventure story inspired by Irish folklore from Sophie Kirtley, author of The Wild Way Home. Perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson's The House with Chicken Legs, Amy Wilson's A Girl Called Owl and Aisha Bushby's A Pocketful of Stars.
Pip lives with Mum in their isolated cottage on the wetlands. Pip struggles to feel like he fits in at school. But at home, amongst nature, he truly feels he can be himself.
Just like every winter, Pip is waiting for the swanfall - when the flock of majestic Arctic swans return from Siberia on their annual migration. He knows every swan by their unique markings, and he loves to help Mum record the flock as they soar, shining through the sky, to their home. But this December, Pip's favourite three swans haven't appeared. Instead, Pip notices strange footprints in the snow, whispers on the wind and the sense that someone is watching him.
Something mysterious is afoot, and the adventure to discover the truth leads Pip to follow clues to an ancient curse that he had always believed was simply a fairytale …
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Swanfall and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Swanfall features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Horror & Ghost Stories, Animal Stories, History, Children’s / Teenage fiction: General, modern and contemporary fiction, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Magical realism / Magical fantasy, Recommendations, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Fantasy / Magical
Swanfall is available in Paperback
Swanfall was written by Sophie Kirtley and published by Bloomsbury Children's Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing (UK)
Swanfall has 293 pages
£7.19