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Spark! Kingston and Richmond 
Book Awards
  • Home
  • About the awards
  • More info & resources
  • Get involved
  • Key dates
  • Media
  • Ages 4-7
  • Ages 7-9
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About the Book

In the aftermath of World War One, everyone is trying to rebuild their lives. If Ben is to avoid being sent back to the orphanage, he needs to find his brother Sam, wounded in action and is now missing. Lotti’s horrible aunt and uncle want to send her away to boarding-school (when she has just so successfully managed to get expelled from her last one!) And Clara, their young teacher, is waiting for news of her missing fiancé.


Just as they think they’ve found their feet in the new order, disaster strikes, and Lotti and Ben must get away. And so they hatch a plan – to cross the Channel on Ben’s narrowboat and find Sam. And there’s something in France that Lotti is looking for, too . . .


Buffeted by storms, chased by the police, Lotti, Ben, Clara and a growing number of dogs set out on an epic journey, on the search for lost loved ones and a place to call home.

About the Author / Illustrator

Natasha Farrant

Natasha Farrant is the Costa award-winning author of Voyage of the Sparrowhawk, The Children of Castle Rock, Eight Princesses and a Magic Mirror which was a Guardian Book of the Year, the acclaimed teen Bluebell Gadsby series and Carnegie-longlisted and Branford-Boase shortlisted YA historical novel, The Things We Did For Love. She has worked in children’s publishing for thirty years, twenty of which as a literary scout. Three-quarters French, an eighth Dutch and an eighth English, she was born and raised in London, where she still lives with her family. Her favourite things to do when not reading or making up stories is to walk by the sea or in woods, usually looking at birds.


Photo credit: Red Photography

Guidelines for schools regarding live and/or recorded readings of this book can be found on the publisher's website.


We kindly ask all participating schools to review this information and ensure you are providing content in line with these terms. 

These awards are led by an independent group of people working in education in Kingston & Richmond Schools. Spark! is working closely with AfC and is supported by the Education Leads of the two councils. 


WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT OF THE REGENCY BOOKSHOP IN SURBITON AND for CLARE SPENcER DESIGN, WHO PROVIDED our Spark! logo.  

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