I’ve never been to the coast of Maine and this new novel by Virginia Hume has definitely inspired me to add it to my list of places to visit. The audio, narrated by Cassandra Campbell, was a pleasurable listen. I really wanted to like this book. It was such a great idea to have a cast of people with various disabilities who were so able and with the author using the best language to describe them. That aspect of the story was excellent. However, the actual plot just didn't work for me. At the start of the story I was really confused as to what was going on, and I couldn't understand the world which was being described. For the first half of the book, it was actually quite boring, as I struggled to get my head around the set up of this extremely strange place. There was a lot more action in the second half of the book, but there were still quite a lot of things that didn't make sense. I felt that throughout the book, I had some unanswered questions or some half-answered questions. I don't think I would recommend this to children, as it left me feeling quite troubled. There were so many rejected children, they survived by stealing and there is quite a lot of violence. There is an important character later in the book, but I felt I knew very little about her from the start of the book, so there were very few clues what her motives were in doing what she did. The style of the writing leaves the reader guessing quite a lot. When I read at the end that the author was a poet, that made sense. There was a poetic feel to the book, and I had noticed the many two-line sentences throughout. I would love to read more books about children with disabilities being the main characters in a book, but for me, this book made me feel quite unsettled and confused, and I'd be looking for a different book based on disabled children to read to my class. Auton is a disabled activist, speaker, performer and creative practitioner. In her writing, shedraws on her own experiences to create an authentic depiction of disability, through hercast of characters and landscapes, says the publisher. The Secret of Haven Point is the perfect addition to the well-being section of any bookshelf. I could not put it down. Unveiling disability; putting it in the spotlight, where it belongs, out in the open for all to admire its hidden beauty. It reminds me of Wonder and a quote springs to mind: 'Why blend in when you were born to stand out?'

This is such a wonderful, unique and quirky read. I’ve definitely never read anything like it before. It’s jammed full of disability rep, which you typically only seem to find in contemporary novels, so it’s great to see books like this start to make their way into the world. Let’s hope for lots more, so that all young people have their chance to see themselves reflected in all sorts of incredible situations and settings. To me, the characters seemed very realistic. Nothing seemed forced to fit into the story, it was all just natural.Out at Haven Point is a lighthouse. You might think this is nothing special, but this lighthouse is the home for 42 amazing children. All of these children have somehow found their way to this place that doesn’t appear on any maps. It is a haven for anyone who doesn’t fit in, with a disability of some kind. The story moves at a languid, thoughtful pace that seems just perfect for lazy summer days by the sea. The characters were interesting and nuanced. I loved Maren’s mother-in-law. She was a hoot! This book delves into friendship, belonging, trust and inclusion. A must-have story for all bookshelves. A book for children to see themselves represented, find solace and understanding. For others, it will help build empathy and acceptance in a world that is full of magic, confusion and twists. LF: I love the illustrations in The Secret of Haven Point! Tell us about working with three illustrators and the different elements they brought to the book.

Whether you look at the disability issues within the narrative as positive or negative, I do not know. What I will say, it was brilliantly covered, with some eye-opening moments that brought home some problems I had never thought about before. If that was the book's aim, it obviously worked on me, proof positive. Puffin started out as a non-fiction publisher, with its first title appearing in 1940. As the most iconic and well-known children’s book brand in the UK today, we are always on the lookout for innovative ways to tell the world’s favourite stories and for brilliant new debut talent and brands that connect with today’s young readers, from newborn up to twelve years old.

FAQs

In adulthood, Annie was troubled by alcoholism, either hereditary or a result of her dealing with her tragic past, possibly both. Skye, Annie’s daughter is often rescued by her grandmother and taken to Haven Point while her mother stays in a treatment center. Skye has adopted her mother’s dislike of Haven Point. The beautiful illustrations enhance this delightful story, and we are given an introduction to the illustrators at the end of the book, which is a nice touch. I feel the need to mention that the ending feels like it’s for an older demographic than the rest of the book. As an adult reader I wasn’t bothered by the content but I think for the younger readers there needs to be a warning that there will be guns, violence and death. Alpha as the main protagonist was everything you want in a lead character. I loved my time with her and her friends, and the ending is set up nicely to allow for a sequel (fingers crossed). If I haven’t already sold the book to you, what you probably need to know, what you really, really need to know, is that there is a character who walks around with a tiny cat living in his beard!!

Cap’n has help with his charges, in the form of mermaids. These mermaids aren’t the pretty, Disney versions. They have teeth which will shred you if crossed, but it is their magic helping protect Haven Point. So how does this special group survive, you ask? The Secret of Haven Point is a spellbinding Children's adventure book based around a remote lighthouse and an abandoned young baby.LF:The Secret of Haven Point is set on the North East coast, and your Writing the Missing films are also set in rivers and the sea. What draws you to water as a writer? He didn’t know our names; he could have made up some nice ones. Instead, he chose the easiest thing in the world - to label us by our impairments.’ I will be more than happy to continue this series in the future, it was a lovely world to escape to! A stunning literary adventure from an incredible debut talent, perfect for fans of Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Cerrie Burnell and Katherine Rundell. This is such a beautiful debut brimming with magic, mysticism and meddlesome children! Lisette Autom makes it clear from the beginning that this is an Own Voices book and her note makes it even more special. It sets the tone for the book and is echoed throughout as Alpha, the main character, often refers to the importance of language too.

LA: I did feel scared, the weight was a lot. Emma and I realised that the note on language would serve two purposes – help me to feel okay (access needs being met!) and set out my activism stall right at the beginning, a call to action, if you find yourself missing from book shelves, write the stories you need to read. And if you like this book, ask for more! In all the writing palaver, I know this sounds silly, but I hadn’t realised it would be read . My incredible copy editor, Wendy, told me what it meant to her to find herself reflected in a character, and since it has gone out into the world there has been so much more of this from children and parents. That makes me proud, that disabled children are seeing themselves on an adventure, in a gang of friends, not wanting or needing to be magically fixed, but celebrated exactly the way they are. It will make me even more proud when those children write their heart song books and they appear on shelves. Lisette Auton’s passion for the locality, influenced by her hometown, beams, as does her humbling determination to create a haven for children with disabilities. This is a brilliantly inclusive adventure for young and middle grade readers, who are sure to be swept up in the excitement of the well told tale. The Secret of Haven Pointwill be published on 3rd February 2022 with a second,untitled book, publishing in 2023. This book is beautifully written, and the characters are fascinating. Maren, Annie, and Skye are well developed, and all have complex emotional journeys through the telling of the story. The beautiful community of Haven Point on the coast of Maine is well described and is a stunning setting for most of the story. The book is a bit long and does drag a bit in the middle, as the setting for the story is set up. However, it’s worthwhile to get to the end, where the story ramps up and draws to an emotional and fulfilling ending.Alpha, as the main protagonist, is unique and special. She appears, at first hand, to be a robust and decidedly feisty individual with traits and characteristics to match. But as she relates her real-life experiences, emotional problems and adventures, we see her softer, delicate side. This is a 17-session Literary Leaf for The Secret of Haven Point by Lisette Auton which covers all aspect of the Upper Key Stage 2 content domain. Throughout the series of lessons, children will engage in plenty of discussion around points arising in the text and use their conversations to gather evidence before recording their personal responses in Reading Response books. Children will analyse the behaviours and motivations of the main characters, as well as how they change as the story develops. They will also analyse the author's vocabulary choices, in particular relating to personification and their use of devices to create tension. The Leaf will finish with children discussing the themes the story covers and the lessons they have learnt through reading this gripping story. Synopsis of Text: I must admit just the magnificent setting along the coast in Maine had me itching to read this novel. Add some family drama and secrets and I'm there. LA: I think it’s in my blood. My family are all based by the sea and always have been. My mum and dad moved to Darlington and I became a river lass. Next to water is where I feel most at peace. It’s silly, but I don’t think I realised that connection! It just is . The second book is river based, so it’s obviously a thing whether I like it or not… I'm disabled/chronically ill myself and I adore books that have lighthouses and mermaids in them so when I first heard about this book by Jen Campbell (who always recommends amazing disability books) I immediately bought it and I'm so glad I did because I loved it so much.