Summer reading 2021

As I write this the weather feels quite autumnal but whatever the weather, there is really no excuse – rain or shine – a book should be a summer essential. Just find one and enjoy!

One I’ve just finished is carrying the accolade of either winning or being on the shortlist for several book awards – the latest was the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize – and I now understand why.

I found the picture painted of the main character’s almost daily traumas, the love within her family and her achievements, unexpectedly emotional and powerful. All the characters were well drawn and it had a real depth of feeling even though it’s quite a short book with less than 200 pages. It’s probably aimed at readers up to the age of about 13 but I think older readers would be inspired by it too.

It’s ‘A Kind of Spark’ by Elle McNicoll – “When 11 year old Addie, who is autistic, learns about the 16th century women who were persecuted for witchcraft, she starts to lobby for a local memorial in her small Scottish village. With the help of a new girl at school, she fights valiantly against injustice and oppression. A story about friendship, courage and self-belief.”

Whatever you read this summer, I hope you find something that takes you to a calm and happy place. A good book, provided you’re mindful of the genre, can do that!

Mrs Cassell, Librarian