Shortlisted for the Costa Children's Book Award 2010.
Costa Book Awards 2010 Judges' comment: "Fresh, believable and deeply moving. We just loved this story."
Shortlisted for the Waterstone's Book Award 2010.
Tender and touching, this is a delicate story about facing up to difficulties and finding a way through. When Isla’s father develops a serious heart condition he can no longer take her to see the swans on the lake. Instead Isla follows the swans and finds one whose behaviour is different from all of the others; different, strange and magical. Can she and the swan make the difference that is needed not only for her father but also for Harry, the boy with cancer whom she befriends in the hospital. This is Lucy’s second novel, her first was Stolen, a superb novel for teens. Flyaway is aimed at a younger audience of 9+.
In this touching novel for ages 10+, Lucy Christopher explores the remarkable bond between a young girl, a boy and a damaged wild bird - a relationship that will touch everyone who reads it. While visiting her father in hospital, thirteen-year-old Isla meets Harry, the first boy to understand her and her love of the outdoors. But Harry is ill, and as his health fails, Isla is determined to help him in the only way she knows how. Together they watch a lone swan struggling to fly on the lake outside Harry's window. Isla believes that if she can help the damaged swan, somehow she can help Harry. And in doing so, she embarks upon a breathtakingly magical journey of her own.
Lucy Christopher was just 25 years old when she came to prominence with her debut novel Stolen, which garnered international critical acclaim. It won the Branford Boase Award 2010 and was shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in the UK. Overseas, it was awarded a Gold Inky and was shortlisted for the prestigious Prime Minister’s Literary Award in Australia, and received a Printz Honor in the USA. It has now sold a quarter of a million copies worldwide and has been translated into 16 languages. Her second novel, Flyaway, was shortlisted for the Costa Children’s Book Award. Inspired by her fascination with wild places and the teen psyche, The Killing Woods is Christopher’s third novel.
Born in Wales but having grown up in Australia, Christopher later returned to the UK and currently lives on the edge of the woods in Monmouthshire. She has a PhD in Creative Writing and lectures in writing for children and young adults at Bath Spa University.
