One of our Books of the Year 2016 | October 2016 Debut of the Month Debut author Lucy Strange tells a touching story, rich in atmosphere and with a strong historical background capturing a young girl’s need for courage and her way of finding it. Henry’s (short for Henrietta) life is turned upside down following the death of her brother. Following a move to the country, Henry finds herself almost alone; her despairing father disappears on a work trip while her mother takes to her bed and becomes a prisoner of the doctor. Henry finds help and friendship from Moth, the mysterious woman who lives in the woods. Together, they refashion Henry’s life and she begins to heal. ~ Julia Eccleshare
A Piece of Passion from Barry Cunningham, Publisher‘I have always found friends in books: fictional characters were the best company for a lonely little boy beset by illness and big sisters! So it was with huge enthusiasm that I read Lucy Strange’s haunting tale of a terrific girl called Henry who draws inspiration, wonder and strength from books. Henry’s bravery in the face of terrible risks kept me racing to the very last page of this beautiful and mesmerizing novel. Set over a long, dreamy summer, The Secret of Nightingale Wood already enchants like a true classic.’
A beautifully tangled story of friendship, fairy tales, and family secrets. For those who loved Pax and The War That Saved My Life.
A Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2017An Amazon Best Book of 2017A 2018 Bank Street College Best Book of the Year A Telegraph Top 50 Book of the YearEveryone is too busy to pay attention to Henrietta and the things she sees -- or thinks she sees -- in the shadows of their new home, Hope House. Mama is ill. Father has taken a job abroad. Nanny Jane is busy taking care of her younger sister.All alone, with only stories for company, Henry discovers that Hope House is full of strange secrets: a forgotten attic, ghostly figures, mysterious firelight that flickers in the trees beyond the garden.One night she ventures into the darkness of Nightingale Wood. What she finds there will change her whole world...
Lucy Strange is the best-selling children's author of titles including The Secret of Nightingale Wood, a Waterstones Children's Book of the Month, and Our Castle by the Sea, which was nominated for the Carnegie Medal, shortlisted for the Waterstones Book Prize, and was the first Independent Booksellers' Children's Book of the Month.
After studying English Literature at Sheffield University, Lucy Strange trained at the Oxford School of Drama and worked as an actor, singer and storyteller for some years before becoming an English and Drama teacher. On moving to Dubai, she launched the award-winning blog Homesick and Heatstruck and has worked as a freelance writer.
