When Birdie is sent to live with her great-aunt in 1950s Yorkshire, she befriends the village's last remaining pit pony. A story of hope and courage, exploring themes of family, racism and identity.
Birdie Bagshaw has never known her parents. Having grown up in a children's home for mixed-race children in 1950s Leeds, now she has come to live with her great-aunt Mabel in the Yorkshire Dales. From her arrival, things are strained, and Birdie cannot understand why she is treated like an outsider by the local children. When their bullying drives Birdie to hide in the local coal mine, she finds an unexpected rescuer in the form of Mr Duke, the last remaining pit pony in the village.
As the weeks pass, Birdie forms a special bond with the spirited little pony. But his future is in danger, and Birdie comes up with a daring plan to save his life in return . . .
Creators
J.P. Rose was born in Manchester but was raised in Yorkshire after her adoption. Growing up she suffered extreme racism, though she continued to be proud of her diverse and rich heritage of Jamaican, Nigerian and Anglo-Irish. As a child she found herself writing stories as a form of escapism and to combat her loneliness. She trained as an actress but eventually moved into writing and she is now the author of numerous novels for adults. She is the owner of several horses, dogs and cats and lives in the countryside with her family.
Reviews
A future classic…Like many great children’s books, Birdie reads like it could have been written half a century ago, yet is powerfully resonant today. A real triumph.
Bookseller’s Book of the Month
A captivating story of the profound and powerful magic of animals
A. F. Steadman
A tender and touching story for animal lovers everywhere
Hannah Gold
At its heart, this is a compelling adventure story incorporating social history and life-threatening drama
BookTrust
Birdie is a wonderful book that explores themes of family, identity, racism and belonging in an unforgettable and heartwarming way.
Browns Books
