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From the Costa Award-winning author Hilary McKay, comes a moving World War II story of family and friendship on opposite sides of a devastating conflict. The Swallows' Flight is the stunning companion novel to The Skylarks' War. 'It’s not necessary to have read The Skylarks’ War (though many beloved characters make reappearances) to be instantly and joyfully lost in this evocative, moving novel, showing McKay at the very top of her game.' – Imogen Russell-Williams, The Guardian 'Funny, poignant, wise and emotional. Full of achingly real characters (and also an excellent dog) . . . I eked out the final pages, not wanting it to end.' – Fiona Noble, The Bookseller Erik and Hans are Germ...
Caddy's World is the prequel to Hilary McKay's laugh-out-loud, award-winning Casson Family series. Best friends, boyfriends, problem parents, pink hair. Brothers, sisters, fireworks and unexpected babies. Welcome to Caddy's World. Travel back to when Caddy was a young girl and Rose had not been born, in this moving and comical prequel to the award-winning Saffy's Angel. Follow the family's adventures in the rest of the beloved series: Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After and Forever Rose.
When Lulu finds a duck egg that has rolled out of its nest, she takes it to class to keep it safe. Lulu isn't allowed to bring pets to school. But she's not really breaking the rules because it's just an egg. Surely nothing bad will happen...
This tender, sweet, and hilarious novel about growing up with a loving family and a perfectly rambunctious dog “balances moments of hilarity with poignancy” (Publishers Weekly, starred review). When she was eight, Binny’s life was perfect: She had her father’s wonderful stories and Max, the best dog ever. But after her father’s sudden death, money is tight, and horrible Aunty Violet decides to give Max away—he is just too big for their cramped new life. Binny knows she can’t get her dad back, but she never stops missing Max, or trying to find him. Then, when she’s eleven, everything changes again. Aunty Violet has died, and left Binny and her family an old house in a seaside town. Binny is faced with a new crush, a new frenemy, and…a ghost? It seems Aunty Violet may not have completely departed. It’s odd being haunted by her aunt, but there is also the warmth of a busy and loving mother, a musical older sister, and a hilarious little brother, who is busy with his experiments. And his wetsuit. And his chickens. You’ll delight in getting to know Binny and her hilarious, heartwarming family in this charming novel, which received three starred reviews.
When a mysterious bag is left on Lulu's doorstep, the last thing her grandmother expects to be in it is a cat—a huge, neon orange cat. But Lulu knows this cat doesn’t mean any harm. In fact, it needs a lovely new home.
From Costa Award-winner Hilary McKay comes The Time of Green Magic: a beautiful, spell-binding novel about family, magic, an old house and a mysterious visitor . . . Abi and her two step-brothers, Max and Louis, find that strange things happen when they are alone in their eerie, ivy-covered new house. Abi, reading alone, finds herself tumbling deep into books, while Louis summons a startling guest through his bedroom window. Even Max has started to see shapes in the shadows . . . Their busy parents see none of it – but Louis’ secret visitor is growing too alarming to keep secret, and he finds he cannot manage without Max and Abi’s help. Can they find out where the mysterious creature has come from – and how to get it back there? 'An instant classic' New York Times 'Wise and kind . . . full of characters you will give your whole heart to' Anna James 'The emotions of real families have always been [McKay's forte], but in this evocative novel she makes something fantastical happen' Sunday Times
Hilary McKay's Fairy Tales is a classic fairy-tale collection to treasure. Featuring Hilary McKay's imaginative retellings of key favourites, this ten-story collection includes the much-loved tales of Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Princess and the Pea, Rumpelstiltskin, The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Swan Brothers, Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, Red Riding Hood, The Twelve Dancing Princesses and Hansel and Gretel. This gorgeous collection features black-and-white line and tone illustrations throughout from the talented Sarah Gibb.
Winner of the Costa Children’s Book Award. The Skylarks' War is a beautiful story following the loves and losses of a family growing up against the harsh backdrop of World War One, from the award-winning Hilary McKay. Clarry and her older brother Peter live for their summers in Cornwall, staying with their grandparents and running free with their charismatic cousin, Rupert. But normal life resumes each September – boarding school for Peter and Rupert, and a boring life for Clarry at home with her absent father, as the shadow of a terrible war looms ever closer. When Rupert goes off to fight at the front, Clarry feels their skylark summers are finally slipping away from them. Can their family survive this fearful war? 'This belongs among the classic of children’s literature . . . Funny, sad, warm, it is about growing up and finding what you love.' – The Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week
Forever Rose is the fifth book in Hilary McKay's hilarious and award-winning Casson Family series. It's tough being the youngest. Rose comes home to a dark, quiet, empty house every day – her sisters and brother are always so busy. Indigo has his guitar lessons and paper round, Saffy is off with Sarah, and who knows where Caddy is since she disappeared with Michael's postcards. School isn't any better. Exams are looming, and vindictive Mr Spencer has cancelled Christmas! When will Rose get the happy ever after she has read about in books? Follow the family's adventures in the rest of the beloved series: Saffy's Angel, Indigo's Star, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After and Caddy's World.
Indigo's Star is the second title in Hilary McKay's hilarious and award-winning Casson Family series. Indigo's going back to school after a long bout of illness. He's not looking forward to it, the bullies are lying in wait. But he's determined to stand on his own two feet – so when Saffy and Sarah break up a fight in the boys' bathroom, he's furious. Until he meets Tom. Tom is from New York, loves music, makes Indigo laugh and is unfazed by the bullies. But Tom has troubles of his own – can the boys help each other out? Follow the family's adventures in the rest of the beloved series: Saffy's Angel, Permanent Rose, Caddy Ever After, Forever Rose and Caddy's World.