by Linda Newbery (Author)
New house, new school, new friends - but Matt Lanchester knows it won't all be that easy when he moves from Milton Keynes to Hay-on-Wye. Almost as soon as he arrives he is drawn into a mystery when he sees a roadside memorial marked by a little wooden cross with the initials M.L carved into it. His initials! Then he meets Robbo and Tig and Old Wil Jones and his wife, Gwynnie. There's history here and a well kept village secret - and Matt is desperate to find out more. His new acquaintances are keener on taunting Wil - Wil, the murderer. But that's not Matt' s style. Befriending Wil, and with a sense of a shadowy figure always close by, he learns about a tragedy in the past, helps set the record straight and finally lay to rest the ghost of boy he feels he's come to know. Linda Newbery effortlessly mixes the old with the new, the past with the present, tragedy with triumph as she writes about communities and individuals, facing challenges and being accepted.
Format: Paperback
Pages: 208
Edition: New e.
Publisher: Orion Childrens
Published: 03 Aug 2006
ISBN 10: 1842555189
ISBN 13: 9781842555187
Children’s book age: 9-11 Years
Book Overview: 11 year old Matt Lanchester unwittingly brings the past to life and unravels a mystery when he befriends old Wil and his loyal dog, Jacko.
Prizes: Long-listed for Lincolnshire Young People's Book Award 2012.
Linda Newbery always wanted to be a writer, but only began submitting work to publishers when she became a secondary school teacher. She now writes full-time from the home which she shares with her husband and their cats. Much in demand as a speaker at conferences and in schools, she travels widely. Since 1988, Linda has published over 30 highly acclaimed books for readers of all ages.
Visit her website at http://www.lindanewbery.co.uk and like her on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Linda-Newbery-author-page/159061854179521.