Zofia loves her life in her small coastal town with her Dad. It has been just her and her father since she was a baby, after losing her mum. They do have a dog and cat too, named Pablo and Frida. Her dad often calls her feral, as Zofia is bold and loud, seeming to take up more room and space than normal eleven year olds. She’s fiery and brash, a storm personified.

The beach and the sea are Zofia’s favourite places, spending every hour she can down there with her friends from school or just she and Pablo. The water is cold most of the time, but Zofia is used to it and with her wetsuit on, she braves the waves when others wouldn’t dare.

Tom loves his quiet life with his mum in their little flat. His room is just the way he likes it, with his lights all around his room so when night falls he is ready to banish the darkness. School is rough as the other kids call him weird and either tease him or ignore him completely. Even though he knows his father can’t get to him anymore, Tom still can’t quite believe it. He’ll never forget being locked in the dark, or laughed at, and still turns to his origami to shut everything out when he’s overwhelmed.

When Zofia’s dad tells her he’s met someone, and Tom’s mum does the same, they instantly dislike the idea. Zofia’s fiery temper is stirred, and Tom tries to be happy for his mum. Neither want their lives to change. But then there’s the baby.
Tom moves in with Zofia and their parents beside the sea, trying to be brave but expecting more of what his dad dished out. Zofia can’t believe this boy who is supposed to be her age, but looks about seven, is so shy and jittery and frightened, all the time.

With a sibling on the way, both Tom and Zofia have to navigate the changes in their lives. Both have things to learn, courage to find and a new way of being together, in the making. Maybe sharing their sibling to be is a place to start?

Winner of the Carnegie Award 2022
Told in first person by both characters in alternate chapters – this story is simply beautiful.

Zofia’s character leaps off the page! She’s so tempestuous, fiery and full of energy and life. Tom is the polar opposite after a life with a commanding, impatient, controlling and abusive father, who is now where he can’t reach Tom and his mum. This contrast seems insurmountable, but slowly they find common ground through hate, anger, jealousy and guilt, and a shared project.

As they begin to understand each other, empathy, apology, kindness and friendship gradually develop. You might need tissues at the end like I did.

Absolutely gorgeous.

Author – Katya Balen
Age -10+ (Older readers will enjoy this novel too)

Read more reviews of Katya Balen novels here

(2022, Blended Family, Beach, Sea, Ocean, Swimming, Sharing, New Baby, Guilt, Jealousy, Abuse, Fear, Scared of the dark, School, Friendship, Understanding, Empathy, Inclusion, Origami, Community, Love, Bullies, Anger, Courage, Award Winner, Carnegie Medal)