Con Murphy is quite pleased with himself. He has kept calm, happy in his class and at school. He has kept his hands to himself, his voice level down, and has even been given important jobs to do by his teacher.

He can keep his cool, be responsible and get on with his classmates.

At least until Mickey Phillips says the words that set his brain and fists on fire again. Mickey has to go to hospital.

Con can’t believe he’s done it again. He can’t believe Mum has been called to school… again. Taking time off work is always bad, because that means less pay, and less things they need. Food. Rent.

Ever since Con’s father left, his mother has to work extra hard and long hours to look after them both. Con’s behaviour just makes everything so much harder.

Ever since Con’s father left, Con’s rage has built. Dad was never perfect – turning up late or not at all to things he’d promised, or coming home smelling of sawdust from his job as a builder, and beer as an alcoholic.

Anger has replaced all the good feelings Con used to have with his father. Guilt is a close second. If only he hadn’t done what he did. Dad might never have left.

Now, Con’s rage is always just under the surface, and guys like Mickey Phillips knew exactly how to stoke it.

Fours days suspension from school is his punishment – but it also changes his life.

Little does Con know, but there is a whole world on top of their block of flats. A world that smooths away his rage. A special place that takes the sharp bits out of his feelings and gives him completely new ones.

I snatched up this book as soon as it hit the shelves. “Wow! Another Katya Balen novel!”

I wasn’t disappointed, not that I ever dreamed I would be. Katya Balen is one of my very favourite authors, and she delivers every single time.

Letters from the Upside is a moving, beautiful story of a boy missing his dad, blaming himself, and wrangling with all the feelings this brings.

The kindness of someone who has been there, and also complete strangers far from his home – all help main character Con to heal, build his self respect, take away his guilt, and understand himself.

This novel had me in turmoil, too scared to turn the page, but needing to so I could learn what happened next.

Animals are often the catalyst for change in a person’s life, both for children and adults, and eleven pigeons are the feathered angels in Letters from the Upside.

Author – Katya Balen

Age – 10+

Find more Katya Balen novels here

Publisher – Bloomsbury

Set – UK Present

Viewpoint – 1st person

Violence – Yes

Real Life – Yes

Fantasy – No

Blend – Real Life / Contemporary

(2025, Award winning author, Homing Pigeons, Family, Animals, Bullies, School, Conflict, Crime, Friendship, Growing up, Love, Real Life, Garden, Bully, Missing dad)