Publication Date: 5 January 2023

The Blurb

Nora’s mum has good days and bad days, but the bad days are getting worse.  It’s been just the two of them for always, and they don’t need anyone else.  When the rainbow-shimmering ghost animals Nora used to see when she was small start to reappear, she’s convinced that they hold all the answers.  Along with new friend Kwame, Nora follows a glittering ghostly fox, hare, raven and otter on the adventure of a lifetime, helping her to find the strength she needs to help her family.

The Review

The perfect balance of heart-breaking and hopeful, I laughed, cried and smiled my way through this beautiful story of self-reflection and new friendship.

Nora is trapped by her fear of not being good enough to help her Mum and her inability to ask for help. As a young carer, she carries a huge weight that she won’t allow anyone else to share. I loved that each ghost animal had a very definite purpose, exposing Nora’s fragility to herself, deftly exploring the emotions underpinning her behaviour.

Kwame is a delight. An open book, he is not afraid to persevere with his friendship with Nora or to say how he feels to his new friend. Finding peace in nature from his loud, large family, he wears his fears on his sleeve for all to see and isn’t afraid to ask for help for his loved ones.

The pair walk a delicate tightrope as they negotiate the early days of their friendship, and as Kwame grows braver, his steadfast determination to help Nora find what her ghosts are pushing her towards, sees them both re-evaluate previously held beliefs about themselves and others.

The backdrop to the story if full of tiny details of the natural world around us, mirroring the emotions of the characters. There was something joyous seeing the cherry blossom tree mirror the growing joy the children found with each other.

With much to discuss beyond the story – young carers, bullying and staying safe – this is a brilliant read for empathy.

Great for fans of:

• The Lost Whale by Hannah Gold
• Me And Mister P: Ruby’s Star by Maria Farrer
• The Good Turn by Sharna Jackson

Huge thanks to Simon & Schuster for sending me a copy.