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Natasha Farrant Books

Stormy Loch Academy is about to change the lives of three children forever – from the world of bestseller, The Children of Castle Rock – by a Costa-winning author and queen of outdoor adventures.

High in the mountains of western Scotland, there is a loch, and on its shores there is a castle, and in that castle there is a school . . .

Stormy Loch Academy is like no other teaching establishment. For one, its headmaster, Major Fortescue, believes in sharing the beauty of the world with his students, so that they will have the courage to fight for it.

For Minna, Kass and Tom it proves to be the safe haven from their chaotic home lives, giving them all a chance to breathe freely, and to roam the valleys and lakes on their doorstep.

But then they come across Addie, an older ex-student, hiding out in the wild, with only her guitar and her dog for company . . .

At first they believe her stories, but when she goes missing, the lies she has told start to emerge.

With Addie at risk, Minna, Kass and Tom must travel to London to uncover her past. The journey is dangerous, especially for those so young . . . But these are the children of Stormy Loch, and bravery and adventure runs through their bones . . .

From the Costa award-winning author of The Rescue of Ravenwood, Natasha Farrant has produced another epic tale of adventure, leading the young and young at heart to dream of winning their own island.

Struggling with the guilt of almost losing her grandfather, then becoming isolated from her friends, Skylar’s behaviour appears to be spiralling out of control. Feeling the pain of being away from his immediate family, as he is torn away from his war-torn country, Yakov struggles to make friends at his new school. Two chance encounters push the unlikely pair together and a shared dream suddenly feels like it could become a reality, but could the dream about to become a nightmare?

Beautifully written, Farrant captures the emotions and stories of each of the characters sympathetically and with great compassion, resulting in a novel that readers will struggle to put down, and will be sure to create a chorus of groans when “That’s all we have time for today” is emitted when used as a class read. A sure win for every dreamer out there!

 

Bea and Raffy have lived at Ravenwood almost all their lives and for them, it’s not just a place – it’s like they’re ‘made of’ it. For their new friend, Noa, it’s a welcome refuge from turbulence at home. Between them, they are looking forward to a perfect Ravenwood summer when, without warning, it seems they will lose Ravenwood and all it stands for. Is there anything that children can do to change the ways of the world?

Each child in their own way, makes a choice: to fight for what is precious. Feisty Bea stows away on a train across Europe; gentle Raffy learns to find his inner courage while Noa doggedly works out who started the fire that made everything worse.

This book has the feel of a classic children’s story of friendship, courage and refusing to give up. It captures the idealism and excitement of childhood in an exquisitely crafted story that is a perfect mixture of classic and modern. The plot itself follows an appealingly familiar pattern, but the main characters, their inner thoughts and uncertainties reflect contemporary concerns about environmental protection, homelessness and the problems caused by family breakdown. Subtly the reader is asked to consider deep questions. Is it selfish to fight for your own home when so many in the world are displaced? How hard is it worth fighting for an ash tree, a nuthatch or a newt? (Should you not know your newt from your nuthatch, the lovely endpapers illustrate them for you). How can you find forgiveness for parents who have let you down?

If used as a class read, it could provoke many important discussions and yet it never feels preachy. It’s both full of hope and a joyously immersive read – pure delight, in fact, that is perfect to share with Upper KS2.

St Trinians and Lauren St John collide in this hilarious and thrilling bestselling adventure from Natasha Farrant!

When Alice Mistlethwaite is shipped off to boarding school in Scotland it’s nothing like she imagines. Run by the mysterious Major, there are no punishments and the students are more likely to be taught about body painting or extreme survival than maths or English!

Then Alice’s dad goes missing and she must run away to find him. Can she persuade her new friends to help?

So begins an epic quest across wild Scottish highlands and islands, where friendships will be made and broken, lies will be untangled and the children will face danger and excitement at every turn…

Both hilarious and heartfelt, this is the classic adventure story brought bang up to date, and told in Natasha’s inimitable voice.

Magical interlinked stories about what one girl learns from talking to trees throughout Time and from around the world. Olive’s best friend is a four-hundred-year-old oak tree, and it is in danger. As she tumbles into its magic world, she makes it a promise. From deep roots to high branches, a Persian garden to an underwater forest, from tulip trees to wild apple to vengeful box, she listens to the trees telling stories for all time. And she keeps her promise. With a conservation message and facts about tree science alongside the magicand wonder of seven beautifully imagined original stories, this full-colour book enchants and reminds us of the importance of trees in our lives.

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