I would have loved this book when I was a kid! Finding ghost stories that are appropriate for younger readers is a real challenge. Morpurgo’s story starts comfortably enough, with a young girl wanting to collect shells on her final day of a family holiday by the sea. From there, the story becomes darker and a sense of foreboding pervades. Morpurgo is an accomplished writer for children, and I think this story is pitch perfect. It’s guaranteed to send a chill up the spine of the most cynical child! Highly recommended, particularly for a quick classroom read-a-loud story.

Fabulous book for readers from year 7+. Morpurgo never over simplifies. His characters are not perfect. They are often flawed, but are also often open to change. This story illustrates how a community can work together as one, and sometimes not in a good way! But there is always the opportunity for redemption. Set during the First World War in the Scilly Isles, this story of a lost girl found and embraced by a family looks at grief, memory and ultimately, forgiveness. Morpurgo’s story will (hopefully) inspire in its young readers the gift of empathy.

Story told from 3 perspectives: Olly, who waits for news from her brother; Matt who has gone to Africa & a migrating swallow. Lovely.