Description

‘A thrilling emotionally charged adventure, full of authentic characters, peril, humour and warmth’ – Daily Mail

‘Wild and brilliantly crafted’ – Sarah Crossan, author of One and Where the Heart Should Be

‘An accomplished tale, tenderly told’ – The Times

A sea-soaked story of friendship, community and discovering what it means to carry home in your heart, from Carnegie Medal-winning author Katya Balen.

On the Island of Ayrie, everybody knows everyone. They know each other’s stories as they know every road, every hill and the coming of the tide. In the summer, there are bonfires to celebrate the migration of the puffins. Everything is familiar, nothing much changes, and for Tilda, nothing ever should – it is beautiful, it is perfect and it is home.

When newcomer Albie arrives at the island, Tilda wants to show Ayrie off – Albie wants her to leave him alone. She learns quickly that it’ll take more than a tour and some seal viewings to win him around. Then, she remembers stories of the old island just an hour’s boat ride away from the shore.

The old island is a death trap. The journey there is treacherous. Trips across to it are strictly forbidden. And there’s a rumour it’s haunted by the ghosts of those left there to die. But with all else having failed, the old island is the only way for Tilda to make Albie see what she sees in Ayrie.

Besides, it’s a different kind of ghost that worries Tilda. The ghost that’s been following her, now, since her brother left the island …

‘Beautifully written, full of heart’ – Julia Green

Publisher Review

Balen has written yet another gorgeous book. Ghostlines is a beautiful, wild and brilliantly crafted novel about loss, friendship and the healing power of nature. It’s funny too! I absolutely loved it. * Sarah Crossan * This dramatic, nervy, passionate island-and-friendship story is about facing up to what’s uncomfortable and challenging and becoming all the more alive by doing so … Superb! * Kevin Crossley-Holland * It’s becoming clear that Katya Balen is a modern great of children’s writing. Perfection is, of course, unobtainable but, exciting, moving and beautifully written, Ghostlines comes close * Anthony McGowan * I loved this book. It’s beautifully written, full of heart. The voice of the main character Tilda springs off the page with vivid life. It’s a touching and tender story about the true meaning of home and community. Young readers will love the island setting, the puffins, the sea-kayak adventure to the secret island and the hideaway shelter Tilda and Albie build together. Brilliant. * Julia Green * One of the most beautiful books I’ve ever read * Kiran Millwood Hargrave on OCTOBER, OCTOBER * It’s EXQUISITE. Read it. Wild yourself. Open your heart to it. Written with the pen of a poet and the soul of Mother Earth. Glorious. It’s like nothing else I’ve ever read * Liz Hyder on OCTOBER, OCTOBER * Original, compulsive, uplifting: this is another triumph for Balen * The Times Children’s Book of the Week on THE LIGHT IN EVERYTHING *