Tilda, along with her six classmates from upper primary, have a wonderfully adventurous life on Ayrie, a small island off the UK coast. The island is a haven for puffins. When the story begins, the puffins – and the many tourists who flock to them – are leaving the island. There are two weeks left of the summer holidays for the kids
to roam free.
All is not rosy in Tilda’s world, though. Her brother, Rowan, after prolonged arguments with his parents and Tilda, has gone from her life. Tilda has her school friends but feels lost and alone without Rowan.
On the ferry from the mainland comes a mother and her son, taking up residence in one of the cottages. The kids are interested in him as he seems their age, but he ignores them. Tilda, who keeps a map of the island and its special spots in her head, is tasked with trying to bring the boy, Albie, out of his shell. Albie misses the mainland – football, cinema and bright lights. The island seems utterly dull to him. Tilda has her work cut out but manages to excite him when she tells him of the haunted and forbidden island just a kayak ride away. Albie becomes more settled, until a storm threatens the island. Albie disappears in the storm and Tilda thinks she knows where he’s gone, but both their lives are now in danger.
Balen’s writing is pure. Her pacing is superb; her imagery is unique; Celtic knots and the puffins are meaningful recurring motifs; and her use of literary devices – such as alliteration – is sparingly used and effective because of it. Just brilliant.
Reviewed by Bob Moore
Age Guide 9+
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Katya Balen is an award-winning author of books for children. Her debut novel, The Space We’re In, was highly commended for the Branford Boase Award, October, October won the Yoto Carnegie Medal and the UKLA Book Award, and The Light in Everything was shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal. When she’s not writing books, Katya likes to scroll through dog-rescue websites, bake and attempt to keep her house plants alive. She lives in London with her partner and their dog.
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