Following a traumatic accident, a special friendship helps talented musician Annie heal and rediscover her love of music in this captivating novella from Carnegie Medal-winner Katya Balen.
After a devastating car crash, Annie is unable to play her flute and retreats from the music she’s always loved.
She exists in a world of angry silence – furious with her mum and furious she can’t seem to play her beloved flute any more.
Then she meets Noah, who shows her the blackbirds’ nest hidden in the scrubland near their flats. As their friendship grows, the blackbirds’ glorious song reignites Annie’s passion for music. But when tragedy strikes again, will her fragile progress be put at risk?
Particularly for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.
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There is music everywhere – if you know how to listen.
Katya Balen read English at university and then completed an MPhil researching the impact of stories on autistic children's behaviour. She has worked in a variety of special-needs schools as a teaching assistant, and more recently co-founded Mainspring Arts - a not-for-profit organisation that provides mentoring and creative opportunities for neurodivergent
More about Katya BalenRichard Johnson works from his studio with his partner, situated on the edge of a large wood in Lincolnshire, England. He is a professional freelance illustrator with 18 years experience working within the industry. He specialises in Children's Book illustration but has also developed illustrations for Advertisement Campaigns and Newspapers and Magazines. He
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