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.