Kids - What to Read

Do you love a good book? Our Children’s Librarians do! And we’re excited to share some great recommendations with you. This page gets updated regularly with reviews of the latest books we’ve been reading.

Annie Lumsden, The Girl from the Sea by David Almond

Like many children, Annie Lumsden loves tales, and being told a story. But unlike other children, she cannot read or learn like them; she thinks differently too. And sometimes, her thoughts drift and her dreams become indistinguishable from the truth. She lives with her mum by the sea, with which Annie has a strong affinity. One day, after being taken from school after she faints, Annie and her mum meet a man. He sparks a dream within Annie, which links her to the sea and her father, and her mum tells her the story of how it is all connected.

This is a story about taking comfort and finding meaning in stories. It is about being different, about accepting yourself, and about growing up. It’s beautiful.

I love David Almond’s writing. Reading one of his books feels effortless, like the author is sitting next to you telling you, speaking to you as you would speak to a friend. This is a touching and beautifully written short novel; so short, in fact, that you’ll find yourself whizzing through it in next to no time. But it’s meaning will stick around with you much longer.

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Learn about David Almond here