Throughout the years that Veritas has spent trying to rear me, there's one essential truth she's always stuck to. 'Love is stronger than mountains.' My mother's name meant truth. But could any of us trust her to tell the truth about our family?'

Can Ruth and her sister Mary discover lasting love for themselves amid the chaos of their large bohemian family? And what about their eccentric mother? Could they find a new love for her too? After the hardships of the 50s, how will any of them experience the new freedoms of the swinging 60s? As Ruth stands at the altar promising love to a young man till the end of life, under her breath she makes a vow: to set down everything of the past, the reality of a girlhood constantly touched by sadness, yet always profoundly secure.

The final story in the Moving Times trilogy. After the hardships of the 50s, how will any of Ruth's family experience the new freedoms of the swinging 60s?

About the Author
Winner of the Guardian Children`s Fiction Award for Paper Faces, Rachel Anderson has written more than 30 books for children of all ages. She excels at tackling life`s difficult themes with a skilful blend of humour and sensitivity. Rachel is married with one daughter, three sons, two goldfish, several free-range muntjacs, and a delightful diversity of grandchildren.

Reviews
A gem from an award-winning author. * School Librarian *

BLOOM OF YOUTH
'funny, with a melancholy edge and the advantage of an underexplored setting: the 50s rural bohemian-shabby-genteel ... There are two more books in the series to come. I shall read them avidly.

* The Guardian, 2nd October 1999 *
sad, funny, ironic, thoughtful and entertaining. The writing is wonderful * School Librarian, v.48, no.4, Winter 2000 *
an evocative trilogy * TES, 5th May 2000 *

THE WAR ORPHAN
'a rare and truthful book'

* Books for your children *

BLACKTHORN, WHITETHORN
'... there's a personal, original vision here ... involving and impressive'

* Philip Pullman, The Guardian *



Book Information
ISBN 9780340981603
Author Rachel Anderson
Format Paperback
Page Count 192
Imprint Hodder Children's Books
Publisher Hachette Children's Group
Weight(grams) 130g
Dimensions(mm) 203mm * 169mm * 13mm