"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.
A heart-wrenching exploration of grief from a bestselling YA author, set in a landscape corrupted by fame and the scrutiny that comes from living in the shadow of a star.To the world, Lizzie Beck is a superstar: famous, talented and beloved.To Emmy, she is simply Beth: her brilliant older sister, her idol.But then Beth takes her own life, and all the light in the world disappears.Now Emmy is lost. Amidst the media storm and overwhelming public grief, she must fight to save her own memories of her sister - and find out who she is without her.
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A heart-wrenching exploration of grief from a bestselling YA author, set in a landscape corrupted by fame and the scrutiny that comes from living in the shadow of a star.To the world, Lizzie Beck is a superstar: famous, talented and beloved.To Emmy, she is simply Beth: her brilliant older sister, her idol.But then Beth takes her own life, and all the light in the world disappears.Now Emmy is lost. Amidst the media storm and overwhelming public grief, she must fight to save her own memories of her sister - and find out who she is without her.
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
Ebook, Paperback. £8.99. Digital. Available Immediately. Country restrictions apply..
Where the Light Goes was written by Sara Barnard and published by Walker Books
£8.99. Digital. Available Immediately. Country restrictions apply..
