Pete has a fascination with the stars. He loves to lie on his back lawn and gaze skywards. Next week it will be his 10th birthday and what he wants most in all the world is a telescope. He’s pored over all the catalogues, but he knows that money is too tight for his mum to afford it. But then a strange thing happens. He receives a birthday card in the mail from Grandad. Now this might not be strange to other boys, but as far as Pete knows, the only family he has is his mum and a dad who lives in another city with his girlfriend. And to add to the mystery, the card has a most beautiful picture of Starry Night on it.

Until now this could be a just a story of a boy who longs for a telescope and discovers a grandfather who might give it to him. But it’s far more than that. It’s an endearing story of two people who learn to forget and forgive the bad stuff that has happened, and of a little boy who ended up with far more than a telescope for his birthday.

Reviewed by Merle Morcom
Age Guide 7+