"Poignant, tender, and utterly absorbing, I defy you not to root for Jake and Maudie." Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal
"A hug of a book that holds the reader tight and says sometimes the world is too much and it's ok not to be ok." Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How to Change the World

Run away from what they see. Discover who you are.

Maudie and Jake's family is falling to pieces - their mum's been struggling with her grief since they lost Dad and one night she vanishes. When Jake is put into care, Maudie can't take it any more. She comes up with a wild plan to pull their family back together - by kidnapping Jake.
On the run in Cornwall, Jake and Maudie each find something they hadn't expected - freedom and love. But can they find Mum and a way to heal together?

A powerful and insightful novel about grief, disability and first love; a story about getting lost and finding yourself.

About the Author
Mel Darbon spent a large part of her childhood inventing stories to keep her brother, who had learning disabilities, happy on car journeys. Having worked as a theatre designer and freelance artist, as well as teaching young adults with learning disabilities and running creative workshops for teenage mums, young offenders and toddlers, Mel now writes young adult novels. She is a graduate of Bath Spa's MA in Writing For Young People, where she found a channel to give voice to young people who otherwise might not be heard. Her first book, Rosie Loves Jack, was a World Book Night and Empathy Lab selection.

Reviews
Poignant, tender, and utterly absorbing, I defy you not to root for Jake and Maudie. * Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal *
What The World Doesn't See is a brave and tender book about loss, family bonds and not judging on first appearance. Jake is such a wonderfully unique and fully-rounded character, who happens to have a learning disability; the sort of character that is so rarely seen - yet is so vitally important - in fiction for young adults. * Joseph Elliott, author of The Good Hawk *
An important and beautiful story about the tight bond between two siblings, and looking beyond a person's disabilities. * Susin Nielsen, author of We Are All Made of Molecules *
An extraordinary story told by an incredible talent. * Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha and the Spirit Bird *
Eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and ultimately so uplifting. A hug of a book that holds the reader tight and says sometimes the world is too much and it's ok not to be ok. * Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How to Change the World *


Awards
Short-listed for Waterstones Children's Book Prize 2024 (UK). Nominated for The Yoto Carnegie Medal 2024 (UK) and Read for Empathy Collection 2024 (UK).



Book Information
ISBN 9781474937849
Author Mel Darbon
Format Paperback
Page Count 384
Imprint Usborne Publishing Ltd
Publisher Usborne Publishing Ltd
Weight(grams) 322g
Dimensions(mm) 198mm * 130mm * 24mm