Hazel’s new life in England should have been the stuff of fairy tales; after all her aunt’s cottage looked just like a gingerbread house, with a magical garden and whispering fireflies promising quests and adventures.
But as Hazel struggles to deal with the challenges of the everyday world – making friends, missing her family – she also learns that every fairy tale has a dark side. And there are terrifying creatures that lurk in the shadows . . .
A middle grade book about family, friendship and finding your place, with a delicate touch of magic. Perfect for 9-12 year olds.
My Thoughts
This enchanting quest by Aisha Bushby whisks the reader into a fairytale world while cleverly addressing the subject of mental health struggles and battling inner demons with enormous sensitivity. Readers can take the story at face value, enjoying a page-turning fantasy with all the wolves and witches we would hope for in a fairy tale, or enjoy the author's powerful metaphor for mental illness and her sensitive exploration of the debilitating effects of OCD. Readers who enjoyed The
Night Animals would enjoy this story, with both books delicately dealing with really important topics and sharing the important message that asking for help can make even the bleakest situations more manageable.