Annabelle is helping her teacher clean the school house now that the summer holidays have arrived. She’s still thinking about all the trouble of only months before. The loss of her friend Toby is still heavy in her heart, along with tough judgements about her part in everything. She’d tried to do the right thing and it all fell apart.

A man appears in the doorway of the school house, looking for his dog. The teacher sends him on his way, and then Annabelle too as the sound of thunder reaches their ears. Annanbelle is confident she will beat the storm home, but is struck by lightning!

She can remember someone pounding on her chest afterwards and then her father finding her. Who had saved her life? At first her parents and doctor think she has been struck mute by the shock, but she reveals something else that has changed. Her senses are heightened. Everything is brighter, louder and she can hear things she shouldn’t be able to. Most odd of all is a sudden understanding of animals, especially dogs.

Dealing with her new senses, her guilt from the trouble with Betty and the mystery of more missing dogs, Annabelle realises that maybe her new skills stretch to people as well. Suddenly she is seeing Andy; Betty’s accomplice, in a whole new light.

This sequel to the extraordinary Wolf Hollow, is beautifully written with magical simile and credible character development. There is domestic abuse, anger and neglect, but also love, empathy and understanding for both man and animals.

Key parts of My Own Lightning are dog rescue and care, family dynamics and multiple mysteries, but the most important themes are growing up and how life, events and the people around you, shape who you are.

Misconceptions are easy to make and judgements hastily made, but if time and empathy are given, a whole new side to people once wronged can slowly reveal itself.

I would recommend reading Wolf Hollow before My Own Lightning, to fully understand the events that have moulded the main characters months before.

Author – Lauren Wolk

Age – 10+

Read reviews of other Lauren Wolk novels (Click on a Cover)

(2022, Sequel, Wolf Hollow, Mystery, Family, Conflict, Crime, Courage, Animals, Secret, Historical, Growing up, 1944, Guilt, Grief, Lightning Strike, Talk to Animals, Dogs, Dog fights, Animal Care, Animal Nursing, New Neighbours, Understanding, Empathy, Child abuse, Neglect, Rural, Farm Life, Extended Family)