Interest Age Teen Reading Age 7+ There’s more than one ghost in Michelle Magorian’s genuinely creepy new short novel. Hannah, her mum and dad and little brother are on holiday and she’s sure there’s a sinister presence in their little holiday flat. But her mum and dad are distracted, ever since Mum lost the baby they’ve been snapping at each other, and they won’t believe her. It’s only when they do that Hannah can escape the ghost and find a way to acknowledge the loss of the baby too. Magorian explores family relationships with typical sensitivity and insight and there’s lots to think about in this spare, economically written novel, as well as moments to send shivers down the spine. ~ Andrea Reece
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+
Barrington Stoke is the foremost publisher of super-readable short fiction by some of the very best children’s authors and illustrators in the UK. Each title has a host of unique accessibility features to offer cracking reads to more children including reluctant and struggling readers and those with dyslexia or visual stress. Here at Lovereading4kids we are constantly selecting the best of their new and backlist titles to recommend to you.
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The holiday was supposed to give them a break, a chance to get away and heal after the loss of the baby. But Hannah's parents are still listless and distracted, and her toddler brother doesn't understand what's going on. And worst of all, something feels wrong in Hannah's room. Her mum and dad don't understand what she's trying to tell them, so one stormy night Hannah sneaks out to find someone who can tell her the truth about the Front Room...
Particularly suitable for struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers aged 12+
Michelle Magorian is undoubtedly one of the pre-eminent children’s writers of historical family drama and of books set around the Second World War. She may not be a household name but that’s purely because she doesn’t write as frequently as those more obvious bestselling novelists. Just Henry is her seventh novel. Unlike some authors Magorian writes when the time is right having first undertaken considerable research, followed by a lot of thinking time before actually putting pen to paper and then there’s always the very important rewrites to polish the story. Magorian loves the research and the writing in equal measure but particularly loves writing dialogue.
Interestingly, Magorian’s first love when she was younger was to be an actress but she also loved writing and day dreaming – the perfect combination for a successful novelist. Here at Lovereading4kids we urge parents and children to try out the wonderful writing, experience the roller-coaster of emotions you’ll get from reading a Michelle Magorian novel. We’re confident you’ll be swept up into a time and place that should never be forgotten.
Click here to read a Q&A with the author from top children's publisher Egmont.
