Following a traumatic accident, a special friendship helps talented musician Annie heal and rediscover her love of music in this stunning novella from celebrated author Katya Balen.

The blackbirds' song uplifts and restores in this captivating novella from one of the most exciting voices in children's fiction.

After a devastating car crash, Annie is unable to play her flute and retreats from the music she's always loved.

She exists in a world of angry silence - furious with her mum and furious she can't seem to play her beloved flute any more.

Then she meets Noah, who shows her the blackbirds' nest hidden in the scrubland near their flats. As their friendship grows, the blackbirds' glorious song reignites Annie's passion for music. But when tragedy strikes again, will her fragile progress be put at risk?

Following a traumatic accident, a special friendship helps talented musician Annie heal and rediscover her love of music in this stunning novella from celebrated author Katya Balen.

About the Author

Katya Balen is a rising star in children's publishing in the UK. Her first book, The Space We're In, was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award, while October, October, described by The Times as "a future wild classic", won the 2022 Carnegie Medal.

Reviews

"Word perfect. Note perfect" - Phil Earle

"Made me cry ... Beautiful" - Jackie Morris

"In the same way a great piece of music or an especially stirring sequence in film can overwhelm you, Birdsong fills you to the brim and threatens to spill over ... Utterly singular and a triumph" - Just Imagine

"A perfectly structured novella" - Waterstones

"This is a book to dwell in, letting the story wash over you and settle your soul ... Katya Balen and Barrington Stoke is a wonderful combination" - Kate Heap, Scope for the Imagination

Awards
Short-listed for Tees Valley Education Book Award 2023. Long-listed for UKLA Book Award 2024. Nominated for Carnegie Medal for Writing 2023.



Book Information
ISBN 9781800900981
Author Katya Balen
Format Paperback
Page Count 104
Imprint Barrington Stoke Ltd
Publisher HarperCollins Publishers
Weight(grams) 180g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 130mm * 8mm