Midwinter Burning

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Thank you, Tanya. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story and know the children will love this unique historical, adventure story. I can't wait to read the next story by Tanya Landman! I loved Tanya’s previous books, especially Horse Boy, so was really pleased to get a chance to read her new one. We then go to London on the eve of the Second World War and Operation Pied Piper, a voluntary evacuation of children three days before the declaration of war with Germany. Here we meet Alfie, another outsider with a life of rejection and bullying behind him.

Bestselling author Alexandra Christo, author of TikTok sensation To Kill a Kingdom, introduces her new book, The Night Hunt (Hot Key Books), a dark... His group is evacuated to a village where the stones from the first scene are and here Alfie starts to find what he could feel is a home with Auntie Bell and the animals of the farm he is staying at. Honestly, I think the amount of heavy topics this book covers, e.g. grief, bullying, realities of war and loss, the sacrifice of life, psychological abuse, being unwanted by a parent, it all makes this book pretty dark for a young reader. At the same time, the author of ‘Midwinter burning’ manages to deliver all these lessons in a way that doesn’t feel too overwhelming and I believe it’s perfectly suitable for a bit older kids. However, I also think the the writing style and all the previously mentioned stuff may not be as accessible for the youngest readers and may stop them from fully enjoying this book. Lastly, I just want to mention this abso-freaking-lutely perfect cover! Even if I haven’t read the book I would still buy it just for this cover! Just… wow🥺 Tanya Landman is the author of some utterly compelling and engrossing stories and Midwinter Burning is no exception. The story weaves between the outbreak of World War II and ancient times, mingling the lives of two 'lonely little lads', whose friendship brings courage and comfort. As an adult, it is hard to read the cold indifference of Alfie's mother to her 'little accident' and this stands in stark contrast to the warmth and affection he receives at Coombe Farm as he becomes 'my birdie' to Auntie Bell, praised and encouraged as he helps out, flourishing under the positive attention.Alfie realized that this was it. The Darkness wasn't coming. It was here. It wasn't a force that came from outside. It came from within. Hate that poisoned minds and hearts and souls, uniting people when they found a victim. Someone different. Someone who didn't quite fit in. Someone to blame when things went wrong.’ Author Anna Kemp introduces The Hollow Hills, the sequel to her dark magical tale, Into Goblyn Wood.

Alfie Wright is a young boy in Britain in 1939. He is, unlike many children, pleased to be evacuated as the reader gets a sense that he has a negative relationship with his mother. He is evacuated to a remote farm with the immensely kind and understanding ‘Auntie Bell’ and her husband, Ted.A historical time-slip adventure for middle grade readers, from the Carnegie Medal-winning author of Apache and Buffalo Soldier. Midwinter Burning is rich in historical detail and vividly captures landscapes and characters. As it builds to its tense and exciting climax, the reader is left with the glow of hope that both Alfie and Smidge are set for a better future than the one they might have had, saved by their friendship across time. A brilliant read!

Alfie and Bell’s relationship is one of the most poignant in the book. From Bell, he learns how to milk a cow, and he is given more freedom than he has ever experienced before. He even eventually makes a friend called Snidge, but his friend is a mystery with a different language and different clothing, Alfie doesn’t want to mention him to others just in case the paranoia of an upcoming war affects this friendship. Tanya weaves a fascinating tale of two worlds and how they interact, how friendship can overcome adversity, and how even the littlest of us can succeed. Midwinter burning’ absolutely stole my heart with it’s incredible storytelling, heartbreaking plot surprising metaphors with life lessons for readers of all ages, beautiful quotes and well-written characters. The book was gripping from start to finish and although the story was simple enough to be understood by children, it was deep enough to give adults something to think about.Tanya now lives and works in Bideford and the nearby coastline was the inspiration for her Flotsam & Jetsam series. Carnegie Medal winning Tanya Landman is the author of more than thirty books for children and young adults. Coffee house Caffè Nero has announced the 16-strong shortlist for the inaugural Nero Book Awards, recognising the outstanding books of the past 12... The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children... I really enjoyed how the story drifts between Alfie and Smidge's different historical worlds and the special friendship they build. The ending of the story is tense and dramatic as their two worlds collide and the mysterious legend of the Midwinter Burning takes place.

I loved how Alfie and Snidge learned about each others worlds, and how they could inhabit each others worlds was so well done, especially toward the end of the story which is so exciting and tense.The negative legacy of the First World War is also skilfully brought into the story as a veteran of that conflict, Mr Moore, was damaged both physically and mentally by his experiences. Cruelly treated and shunned by both adults and children living near Alfie in London, Mr Moore is a living reminder of a time most want to forget. Alfie alone treats him with kindness and as he sits with him, the reader can see that Alfie is sensitive to the 'indistinct, insubstantial shadows' Mr Moore talks to, paving the way for his later experiences with Smidge. In Midwinter Burning we start off in prehistory and the scene is set for a midwinter offering, this sets up the rest of the book, especially the idea of outsiders.