In the aftermath of World War One, everyone is trying to rebuild their lives. If Ben is to avoid being sent back to the orphanage, he needs to find his brother Sam, wounded in action and now missing. Lotti's horrible aunt and uncle want to send her away to boarding-school (when she has just so successfully managed to get expelled from her last one!) Just as they think they've found their feet in the new order, disaster strikes, and Lotti and Ben must get away. Together they hatch a plan - to cross the Channel on Ben's narrowboat and find Sam, and something Lotti is looking for too... Buffeted by storms, chased by the police, Lotti, Ben and a growing number of dogs set out on an epic journey, on the search for lost loved ones and a place to call home.
WINNER OF THE COSTA CHLDREN'S BOOK AWARD 2020!
TIMES AND SUNDAY TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE YEAR
WINNER OF THE SPARK BOOK AWARD
WINNER OF THE SEFTON BOOK PRIZE
SHORTLISTED FOR THE INDIE BOOK AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE WARWICKSHIRE SLS JUNIOR BOOK AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE CUMBRIA SECONDARY SCHOL BOOK AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE STOCKPORT CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE NORTH SOMERSET TEACHERS' AWARD
SHORTLISTED FOR THE REDBRIDGE CHILDREN'S BOOK AWARD
INTERVIEW WITH BOOKS FOR KEEPS
REVIEWS
"A book that makes you fall in love with reading" - Costa Book Awards
"Inspiring, beautiful and utterly delightful, Voyage of the Sparrowhawk is a delicious emotional rollercoaster of a read that will stay with you forever.' Liz Hyder, winner of the Waterstones Childrens' Prize
"Empowering, rollicking, wistful and joyful' Hilary McKay, winner of the Costa Book Award
"Heaven sent out of a blue sky, it blew me far away on a wonderful adventure, and for a blissful while, I really was somewhere else' Piers Torday, winner of the Guardian Book Award
"It had my heart from the very first pages" Lucy Strange, author of THE SECRET OF NIGHTINGALE WOOD and OUR CASTLE BY THE SEA
"Surefooted and joyful" Literary review
"The reading equivalent of wallowing in a hot bath" - Times and Sunday Times Book of the Year
"Dramatic, moving and perfectly paced" - a Daily Mail Book of the Year
"One of the most compelling, joyous, tearjerking and delightful reads of the year" - The Sunday Times
"A magnificent odyssey... it deserves prizes" - The New Statesman
"Thrilling... deeply moving" - The Daily Mail
"Pure gold dust" - LoveReading4Kids
"Friendship, kindness, bravery, determination and working together to make things happen (...) exciting adventure story (...) wonderful characters" Just Imagine
"It fills your heart, the writing is effortless and the storytelling sublime. An utter joy." Angels & Urchins
"Superb and original story ... there is adventure, action and tension on every page" School Reading List
"Engaging and exciting, this is a wonderful adventure story about two friends and their determination to never give up their last, tiny glimpses of hope" The Bookbag
"A completely compelling story of love, friendship and unexpected surprises" Federation of Children's Book Groups
"A beautiful, poignant book... filled with adventure, bravery, love, friendship, and hope" - Whispering Stories
"A stunning read, beautifully told" - North Somerset Book Awards
"A wonderful story of friendship, bravery and hope" The Week Junior
"You will be cheering on the lovable, brave characters in this compelling story" The Scotsman
"Inspiring, memorable, and adventurous: classic storytelling" - Kirkus starred review, a Kirkus top 100 children's books of the year
"A captivating reading experience" Booklist starred review
"Sometimes poignant, sometimes funny, but consistently gripping, Voyage of the Sparrowhawk presses forward with all the purpose and beauty of a small, slim boat on fast-flowing waters.” Bookpage
FABER AND FABER, September 2020
Rights sold:
China, CITIC Press Corporation
France, Gallimard
Italy, Edizione Piemme
Poland, Wydaawnictwo Juka-91
USA, WW Norton
Audio, WF Howes
