Sky Hawk

Description

When Callum and his friends find Iona on Callum's farm they try to chase her back into the village. But Iona runs from them up into the hills. It is late and dark and snow lies in the mountain gullies. Worried for Iona's safety, Callum follows to find her shivering with cold but refusing to leave. She is guarding a secret hidden in the forest above the dark waters of the loch. So they make a deal. Iona shares the secret and in return Callum allows her back onto the farm. They form a deep bond of friendship and make a promise to keep their secret safe. It is a promise that will change Callum's world forever ...She turned her head, and fixed me with her brilliant yellow eyes. She looked right into me. And suddenly I knew then, in that one moment, I was as much part of her world as she was of mine. Soar above the clouds in this enthralling tale of friendship, loyalty, and hope.

Promotion info

Two lives to save, one secret to keep.

Awards

Winner of Leeds Book Awards 9-11 Category 2012. Shortlisted for Waterstones Children's Book Prize: Fiction 5 - 12 Category 2012.

Reviews

Opens your eyes, touches your heart, and is so engaging it almost turns the pages for you. Michael Morpurgo, Former Children's Laureate This beautifully written, captivating book should be on everyone's bookcase. Breathtaking. Poignant. Unforgettable. Virginia McKenna, Founder of the Born Free Foundation An edge-of-your-seat wildlife adventure that tells a very human story of friendship, discovery and an incredible journey. I loved it! Kate Humble, Presenter of BBC's Springwatch and Autumnwatch Rich in atmosphere and full of heart, Sky Hawk is an intense and touching story of how protecting a rare bird forges a deep and special friendship between two children ... Sky Hawk is an enthralling tale about a promise between two friends, Callum and Iona, that will change lives forever, and the power of friendship, loyalty, and hope. A book to treasure. Julia Eccleshare, Guardian I loved Sky Hawk-it's a tremendously assured debut novel and it reminded me very much of the books Michael Morpurgo writes. I can see teachers wanting to share this one with their classes because its themes are simultaneously diverse and universal, but I also think it's a book for all ages to savour at home. Highly recommended. Jill Murphy (www.thebookbag.co.uk ) From the first page I was drawn into this very real novel which has at its heart an ecological message. The characters are truly believable and the language of this novel is poetic and beautiful. For anyone with an interest in wildlife and conservation issues, I would strongly suggest they buy this debut novel by emerging writer Gill Lewis. I hope it won't be her last book! Charlotte Westwood, 13, First News, The Weekly Newspaper for Kids

Author description

Gill Lewis grew up in Bath. For much of her childhood she could be found in the garden where she ran a small zoo and a veterinary hospital for creepy-crawlies, mice and birds. She secretly hoped a golden eagle would land on the bird table in need of urgent assistance. But it never did. Her favourite bed-time reading book was The Living World of Animals. Gill followed her passion and studied Veterinary Medicine at the Royal Veterinary College, London. She has worked and studied both at home and abroad. In her travels she has been fascinated by wildlife; from urban foxes to rare rain-forest hummingbirds, and by the stories of the people who live among them. Gill now reads and writes books for children. She completed an MA in Writing for Young People in 2009, and won the award for most promising writer on the course. She lives in the depths of Somerset with her husband and three children. She is still hoping to see that eagle. Sky Hawk is Gill's debut novel.