When her husband dies, Lu Si-yan's mother is encouraged to sell her young daughter into domestic service. Lu Si-yan is just eleven when sold by her uncle. Nearly two years will pass before she can get back home to her mother and brother. In this powerful and compelling novel Sally Grindley portrays the life of a young girl in China, a young girl whose life is said to be like 'spilled water'. With a brilliant first-person narrative and a powerful description of time and place, this novel is gripping, heart-wrenching and utterly mesmerising.

Chosen as one of the 'Best Books of the Year' by Junior/Child Ed Multicultural interest and strong social themes will make this an essential school text Brilliantly evoked setting and believable characters ensure the book's excitement and accessibility

About the Author
Sally Grindley lives in Cheltenham and has worked in children's books all her career - first as an editor for Books for Children book club and now as a full-time writer. Sally is the author of many outstanding picture books for young readers and this is her second novel. Sally travelled to China to research SPILLED WATER.

Reviews
'This is a powerful, emotional story ... With strong characters and simple but effective writing, this is a captivating book' Waterstone's Guide to Kid's Books


Awards
Winner of Smarties Book Prize Gold Award 2004.



Book Information
ISBN 9780747571469
Author Sally Grindley
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 129mm * 14mm