A stunning new children's novel from the Costa Award-winning author of Asha & the Spirit Bird.
Xanthe loves visiting her gran in her flat with its rooftop garden. But Nani is becoming forgetful - and Xanthe wishes she could help her, if only she knew how. A mysterious cat shows her a way. It leads Xanthe to clues about Nani's childhood, and how, long ago, she had to escape her old life in Africa for a new one in Britain ...
The fourth novel by bestselling, Costa Award-winning author Jasbinder Bilan; author of Asha & the Spirit Bird, Tamarind & the Star of Ishta and Aarti & the Blue Gods
Follows archaeology-obsessed Xanthe as she uncovers her family's secrets
A tale of secrets, family, refugees, belonging and love
Set in a tower block in Nottingham, bringing Jasbinder's trademark magical realism to an urban, everyday setting
'An evocative debut novel ... satisfyingly classic in feel' Guardian
'A heartfelt and mystical children's adventure story.' Telegraph
Author
About Jasbinder Bilan
Jasbinder Bilan was born in India, close to the Himalayas, before moving to Nottingham as a child. She graduated from Bath Spa University and has gone on to write several books for children, winning a plethora of awards for her work. Her debut novel Asha and the Spirit Bird was awarded the Times/Chicken House Prize and the Costa Children’s Book Award, as well as being shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, longlisted for the Jhalak Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Jasbinder is also an active member of Authors4Oceans, an organisation campaigning to clean our oceans of plastic.
