Tilda watches the tourists leave her home of Ayrie Island. They love the puffins and the wild spaces, but Tilda loves every part of it – especially when visitor free. But as the visitors leave, a boy named Albie and his mother arrive – to stay.

Everyone knows everyone on Ayrie, and news of the newcomer’s arrival spreads fast. Tilda is excited too, as it will be interesting to have a new person her age in the mix. But no matter how she and her friends try and coax Albie to join them in their summer fun, she receives nothing but quiet refusal.

Tilda doesn’t understand it. Ayrie is the most beautiful place on Earth. The sunsets, the millions of stars at night, the

‘sweep of the mountains and the sharp smell of the salt and peat and sea.’ 

…how can Albie be so disinterested?

She is given the task to help him settle in, and she relishes the challenge to show him how wonderful her home is. It’s much harder than she thought, until a last resort is flung out as a suggestion. This suggestion is against the rules. Dangerous. Possibly even with a supernatural threat. Only this gets Albie’s attention.

With free reign every day of the holidays, Tilda and Albie build a friendship within the off limits grounds, risking the possible disasters of every day. The breaking of rules is part of the thrill, and their friendship seems to ease Albie’s homesickness and even Tilda’s longing for a lost family member. But there are other forces at play and everything is suddenly at risk.

The island of Ayrie might be fictional but it feels as real as the book in your hands. Main character Tilda adores her island home and life there, even if everyone knows everyone and no one knocks when entering other islanders homes.

The stark contrast of mainlander Albie is engaging as Tilda tries to show her love to the newcomer – in part because she can’t understand why he doesn’t see what she sees, and gradually as she finds herself with something no one else on the island has. A new friendship.

A continuing backdrop of loss sits in Tilda’s mind, as her much loved older brother Rowan took the ferry away from their home never to contact them or return. Tilda’s new friendship with Albie eases this pain, and ultimately helps put her family back together.

Beautifully written as always, Ghostlines will be another treasured read on tween’s shelves.

Author – Katya Balen

Age – 9+

(2025, Bloomsbury, Island Life, Relocating, New Home, Newcomer, Homesick, Friendships, Family, Puffin, Longing, Kayaks, Forbidden Place, Stories, Storm, Big brother, Siblings, Growing Up, Memories, Home, Belonging)