I love Catherine’s writing so was excited to have been sent an early copy of this to read back in March. However, it is just about to fly the Nosy Crow nest and out into the world for everyone else to get swept away with.

“After the tragic death of his mother, eleven year old Will is sent to temporarily stay with his uncle in the mountains. After years trapped in a high-rise flat, with only birds for company, Will doesn’t know how he’ll survive a place like this, but he soon finds solace in the woods, when he’s surrounded by birdsong.

With his new friend Omar – a refugee from Afghanistan – Will discovers an osprey nest, with two small chicks inside. He forms an unbreakable bond with the birds, especially the smallest chick, who they name Whitetip. But when tragedy almost strikes again one stormy night, and Whitetip is knocked out of the nest – breaking a wing, Will is determined to save her. Smuggling her down from the mountain, he finds a way to keep her alive.

As Will helps Whitetip to grow and to heal, he finds a strength inside himself that he never knew he had. Maybe, finally, Will can find a way to take flight too…”

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As ever, Catherine explores some difficult topics such as loss, mental health, readjusting to life at school after being homeschooled for some time. But she does so in such a way that readers get drawn into the lives of her characters and swept up in the wildness of the story.

There are strong ecological themes running through this title too – the importance of leaving things as you find them, helping conserve a species, and the healing power of nature – which feel very current and. I think readers will relate to.

A fantastic read for anyone aged 9+

Jo

*Many thanks to Nosy Crow for sending me this title to review*