"A stunning portrayal of grief and the impact of suicide"
May 2023 Book of the Month
YA Book Prize winner, Sara Barnard, writes fearlessly about some really tricky issues, but always with great emotional honesty and depth.
This extraordinary novel is no exception since it is tackling the issue of suicide and the impact on those left behind. The book opens with an appropriate trigger warning because these are difficult issues to read about. The book also explores the causes of this particular young girl’s death and in doing so we find out just how toxic and damaging fame can be for young women.
Lizzie Beck is the lead singer for a band that rose to dizzying heights of fame at a very young age and the media follow her every move, every relationship, every stint in rehab. The novel does not flinch from showing the misogyny with which young women are treated. But Lizzie is also Beth, a beloved sister and daughter and the agony of the family’s grief and the way it changes everything in their lives is heartbreakingly laid out.
The story is told from the perspective of Emmy, the equally talented younger sister who wanted nothing more than to emulate her big sister, but skilfully uses lots of different media- text messages, articles, interviews, and emails to show a wider view. The story is divided by poignant black pages noting: 1 day gone etc and very, very subtly, more light appears until we see Emmy at 5 years gone living her life in the limelight but having learned so much from having had Beth as sister.
This difficult journey towards finding light in the darkest of times is both truthful and hopeful. This powerful multi-layered and important novel is enthralling, moving and utterly compelling.
| Suitable For: | |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
A heart-wrenching exploration of grief from a masterful writer, set in a landscape corrupted by fame and the scrutiny that comes from living in the shadow of a star.
Lizzie Beck is one quarter of British pop sensation The Jinks, who launched their career via a reality TV talent show and rose straight to fame - and in Lizzie's case, infamy, for her tumultuous relationship with her boyfriend, stints in rehab and candid confessions about her mental health on Instagram.
To Emmy, though, she will always be her older sister, Beth, the person whose footsteps she intends to follow. Except now she can't. Because Beth, Emmy's beloved sister, has died by suicide.
Forced to face a world without the guiding light of her bright, brilliant big sister, Emmy must wrestle with the impact of private grief, public scrutiny and discover who she once was and who she will become, now that Beth is gone.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Where the Light Goes and determined it is suitable for children aged 15-18 years old
Where the Light Goes features in the following genres: Books of the Month, Recommendations, PSHE: Bereavement and Grief, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Featured Books for Young Adults
Where the Light Goes is available in Ebook, Paperback
Where the Light Goes was written by Sara Barnard and published by Walker Books Ltd
Where the Light Goes has 376 pages
£8.09
