Lara is travelling to Scotland by train with her parents to stay with her grandparents for Christmas. She’s looking forward to the snow they have promised, but is already missing her best friend Anisha.

When they finally arrive, Grandad is excited by something else besides the snow. He has seen a rare white snowy owl. It’s not until Lara sees the large beautiful bird does she realise Grandad’s wonder for herself. It won’t let them too close but when Lara goes out to explore as she usually does when staying, the bird seems to be leading her somewhere.

Lara comes upon a young girl, cold and soaked in the snow. There is something strange about the girl, even though she is friendly and chatty. She tells Lara she is hiding from her cousins, as one is a bully. Lara soon meets this boy for herself, and as she works out the mystery of the girl she experiences his mean nature too.

When a white snowy owl is in his sights, Lara wonders if it’s her snowy owl. Either way, she knows she must protect the bird and its nest of eggs from the bully, and help her new friend sort him out once and for all.

A mystery of time travel wrapped up in Christmas snow, visiting loved ones and defeating a bully – all connected by a beautiful and rare white snowy owl.

Pencil illustrations are sprinkled throughout this story, sharing the wonder of nature, the love of grandparents and the intrigue of a time shift.

A large clear font is perfect for young readers wanting to stretch their own wings into middle grade novels.

Author – Holly Webb

Illustrator – Jo Anne Davies

Age – 7+

(2022, Hardie Grant, White Snowy Owl, Bird, Rare, Nesting, Flight, Scotland, Snow, Christmas, Grandparents, Bird watching, New friend, Time travel, Cousins, Bully, Egg raiding, Ghost, Secret, Adventure, Animals, Bullies, Courage, Family, Historical, Mystery)