Where Do You Go, Birdy Jones? by Joanna Nadin

The Blurb On The Back:

Birdy Jones is all alone.

Dad’s new family means there’s no room left for Birdy. The only place that feels like home is Grandpa’s pigeon loft, amongst the warmth of the birds she loves to race. It’s also where she meets Dogger - her only real friend.

When Birdy uncovers a message from the past, she thinks it explains why she doesn’t ‘fit’ in her family. But the closer she gets to the truth, the further apart she becomes from Dogger. Why is he drifting away when she needs him the most?

Sometimes it’s those we know best who may be hiding the biggest secrets …

( The Review (Cut For Spoilers): )

The Verdict:

Joanna Nadin’s contemporary novel for children aged 9+ is a wonderfully observed story of belonging, friendship, grief and working out who you are. The dialogue really conveys the Leeds location and Nadin does a good job of showing the issues involved with having parents in low paid work without over-emphasising it. The Dogger storyline had a neat magical realist vibe, although I wanted more of a resolution.

Thanks to the Amazon Vine Programme for the review copy of this book.