Torn Pages

Torn Pages

by SallyGrindley (Author)

Synopsis

There's something about a storm in the middle of the night that gathers a family close. It's as if nothing else exists outside that huddle of love in a blacked-out room which, try as it might, the storm cannot overwhelm. The storm that Liddy faces is the storm of AIDS, that is attacking their small African community. It has taken away from her for ever her mother and father. With her brother, Joe, Liddy must try to bring up Kesi, their little sister. There is never enough to eat, they cannot afford to go to school, and even their grandmother goes out her way to make life difficult for them. But their mother's voice of love is still there to guide them, in the handwritten diary which she left for them.

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More Information

Format: Paperback
Pages: 224
Edition: UK ed.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Published: 02 Feb 2009

ISBN 10: 0747595054
ISBN 13: 9780747595052
Children’s book age: 7-9 Years
Book Overview: New novel from Sally Grindley, winner of the Smarties Gold Medal for Spilled Water. A story of a small family's love, loss and resourcefulness in the face of adversity. Sensitively portrayed, carefully researched, with a poignant, theme-driven plot.

Media Reviews
'Optimistic and heartening. Without compromising the painful seriousness of her theme, Sally Grindley has written a humane and enjoyable story' The School Librarian 'Grindley's vivid portrayal of Lydia's hardships and the bonds that keep her family together offers a thought-provoking experience to older readers who want to open their eyes to a wider world' The Observer 'An issues novel without moralising or didacticism' The Financial Times 'The story flows beautifully, the first-person narrative ensuring the reader's emotional involvement with Lydia, who reveals herself as a fully rounded character, responsible and vulnerable, steadfast and childish, but whose ability to look beyond reality eventually wins through ... Excerpts from the memory book punctuate the narrative, a confirmation of the power of words in determining and shaping reality. Though tragic, the story is about strength of character and the will to succeed rather than ravaged lives' Books for Keeps
Author Bio
Sally Grindley lives in Cheltenham. She has been involved with children's books nearly all her working life, first as editor of the children's bookclub Books for Children and for almost as long as a children's author. This is Sally's sixth novel for Bloomsbury. Spilled Water won a Smarties Gold Medal as well as other regional awards such as the Lincolnshire Young People's Award.