A family mix-up means Louie has to tag along with his engineer father and his team as they head for a rouDne job in the farthest flung and most neglected province of the FederaDon. A massive earthquake, with ensuing tsunami, devastates the enDre isolated coastal region, laying bare the other-worldly manner in which the silent and strange Endlanders deal with life, death and the hinterlands of memory and loss. Their curious and unseHling ways raise ghosts for Louie, who has recently lost his own brother. This modern fable – part ghost-story, part coming-of-age novel and part astute social and family observaDon – explores the ways in which grief can affect not only individuals, but communities at large.
'...a very other-worldly novel that explores ideas of loss and grief both on a macroscopic and microscopic level and the kinds of collateral damage that can arise from this within families. ...how well Anne realises the emotional capacity of boys and how timely that feels amidst discussions on toxic masculinity.' - Jake Hope, reading consultant
Creators
Former Children's Laureate Anne Fine has written over seventy books for children and has twice won the Carnegie Medal. She began to write to entertain herself when she was unable to get to the library to change her books in a snowstorm, and she hasn't stopped since. Her writing very often tackles series social issues but can also be laugh-out-loud funny and her range is demonstrated by the successes of Madam Doubtfire and Goggle Eyes.
Reviews
…a very other-worldly novel that explores ideas of loss and grief both on a macroscopic and microscopic level and the kinds of collateral damage that can arise from this within families. …how well Anne realises the emotional capacity of boys and how timely that feels amidst discussions on toxic masculinity.
Jake Hope, reading consultant
