Where The River Takes Us: Sunday Times Children's Book of the Week

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Another fabulous adventure from Lesley Parr who takes us on a journey of friendship, family values and trust. Thirteen-year-old Jason feels the struggle keenly. Ever since his parents died, it's just been him and his older brother Richie. Richie is doing his best, but since he can't make ends meet he's been doing favours for the wrong people. Every day they fear they won't have enough and will have to be separated. One thing that helps distract Jason is the urban legend about a beast in the valleys. A wild cat that roams the forest, far up the river from their bridge. When Jason's friends learn of a reward for proof of The Beast's existence, they convince Jason this is the answer to his and Richie's money problems. Richie can get himself out of trouble before it's too late and the brothers can stay together. Much like Stand By Me, we have different characters in the group, including a girl, as well as rival kids also on the trail of fame and fortune. There is bonding, danger, no leeches thank goodness, and a post-quest sequence where we see Jason and his 19-year-old brother have to overcome poor decisions to find resolution and balance again. It's February 1974 and working class families have been hit hard by the three-day week. The reduced power usage means less hours for people to work, and less money to get by on. Thirteen-year-old Jason feels the struggle keenly. Ever since his parents died, it's just been him and his older brother Richie. Richie is doing his best, but since he can't make ends meet he's been doing favours for the wrong people. Every day they fear they won't have enough and will have to be separated.

It’s 1974 complete with penny sweets, Look In magazines, the minors’ strike and three day working weeks. Jason is 13..he’s recently lost both parents and his brother is trying to keep both of them together, but Richie is struggling and his attempts to keep them afloat are putting both their lives in jeopardy. When a financial reward is offered for photographs of the Blaengaw Beast - a mysterious wild cat which is believed to be on the loose - Jason and his friends see the opportunity to raise some badly needed funds. It’s February 1974 and working class families have been hit hard by the three-day week. The reduced power usage means less hours for people to work, and less money to get by on. Thirteen-year-old Jason feels the struggle keenly. Ever since his parents died, it’s just been him and his older brother Richie. Richie is doing his best, but since he can’t make ends meet he’s been doing favours for the wrong people. Every day they fear they won't have enough and will have to be separated. One thing that helps distract Jason is the urban legend about a beast in the valleys. A wild cat that roams the forest, far up the river from their bridge. When Jason's friends learn of a reward for proof of The Beast’s existence, they convince Jason this is the answer to his and Richie’s money problems. Richie can get himself out of trouble before it’s too late and the brothers can stay together. Parr is so wonderful at creating wonderful children’s characters; and understanding their thoughts and fears and imagining their conversations and humour so beautifully. This a story which will make you laugh out loud as well as holding onto your hat as you rush around the welsh countryside. And a trademark Parr touch is the way she depicts both the antipathy and friendship between boys and girls.. Set in the Welsh Valleys in 1974, Where The River Takes Us is a story about four friends who set off to find this strange creature - a local urban myth, to help Jason and his brother out with a cash reward after losing their parents in a car accident.Set in Wales in 1974, Lesley Parr brings us her third historical novel which explores the impact of the miners' strikes and the three day working week on a group of friends living in a Welsh village.

So, if you're looking for a brilliant written, down-to-earth novel that's more about brotherhood (with a brilliant female friend too) than finding a beast, this is definitely one to add to your to-be-read pile. With a dramatic and heart-racing end, will Jason be separated from his brother and his friends? Anyone who likes historical fiction will enjoy Where The River Takes Us, although it is not just a piece of history, but more of an adventure, which explores friendship and grief. Jason has lost both parents and has not managed his grief at all and this adventure becomes the catalyst for him to finally deal with what has happened. I'd give this book six stars if there were six stars to give! With the tender balance of humor and emotions, Lesley Parr's Where the River Takes Us is a beautifully told, heartfelt story about 13-year-old Jason, who along with the help of his closest friends make a plan to go up the valley to get picture proof of the elusive Beast of Blaengarw, and claim the winning prize money that will help him and his older brother, Richie, survive a few months longer together, after the tragic death of their parents. 😔 Where The River Takes Us by Lesley Parr is a very engaging children’s novel set in the Welsh valleys in 1974. Where the River Takes Us by Lesley Parr is an enjoyable and thought-provoking middle-grade adventure set in rural Wales at the height of the miners' strikes and the Three-Day Week in the 1970s. As the film Stand by Me, it's a marvelling coming-of-age adventure tale that reminds us of the beauty of childhood: friendships, adventure, hope, resilience, and facing up to bullies all remain the same.

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This story is as rich in themes as it is in landscape, and Parr examines the impact not only of material hardships on communities, and especially upon children within such communities, but also the nature of family and friendship bonds. As importantly, Parr explores the nature and process of grief, with the huge spectrum of feelings and emotions this can encompass. She does this with such sensitivity and authenticity, providing the reader with multiple points of connection to Jason’s experience, on many different levels. Where The River Takes Us is as a result, both a truly impactful and empathy-boosting read.

Jason feels compelled to help his brother and so sets out to get the cash reward and help the household finances. But, of course, he doesn’t go alone. His best friends, Catrin, Tam and Jinx are all in on the plan. The children meet on the bridge and head out of Ponty, following the river towards Blaengarw. The trip is full of jeopardy and problems but also fun and laughter. There are bulls to avoid, sleeping bags and maps are lost but importantly, friendships are forged (over a crisp sandwich or two).eARC received from Bloomsbury Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This title released on the 16th March 2023. So up the river they walk one morning – Jason, Jinx, Tam and Catrin – sandwiches, sleeping bags and fizzy pop at the ready. But can they find the beast before anyone else?