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The Space We're In

from the winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2022
By Katya Balen
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Space We're In follows ten-year-old Frank, who loves cottage pie, football, and code-breaking. His younger brother Max, aged five, has unique sensory sensitivities and strict eating habits. The story explores their close bond and how they navigate life after a profound family tragedy, as Frank strives to keep their universe together.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This moving middle-grade novel is ideal for readers who appreciate thoughtful and emotional stories about family, friendship, and resilience, including fans of Wonder and Skellig.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

We are her world and her universe and her space and her stars and her sky and her galaxy and her cosmos too.

Frank is ten. He likes cottage pie and football and cracking codes. Max is five. He eats only Quavers and some colours are too bright for him, and if he has to wear a new T-shirt, he melts down down down.

Sometimes Frank wishes Mum could still do huge paintings of stars and asteroids like she used to, but since Max was born she just doesn’t have time.

When tragedy hits Frank and Max’s lives like a comet, can Frank piece together a universe in which he and Max aren’t light years apart?

This jaw-dropping, heartbreaking and hopeful novel from debut author Katya Balen will remind you we are all made of stardust. For fans of thought-provoking, moving middle grade from Wonder to Skellig.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781526610942

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 September 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Bloomsbury Childrens Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by Laura Carlin

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 24.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 287g

Pages: 256

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Katya Balen Young Adult

About the Author

Katya Balen read English at university and then completed an MPhil researching the impact of stories on autistic children's behaviour. She has worked in a variety of special-needs schools and is the co-founder of Mainspring Arts – a not-for-profit organisation that provides creative opportunities for neurodivergent adults.

Laura Carlin is an illustrator and ceramicist based in London. She has won numerous awards for her children’s books, including a BolognaRagazzi Award and a V&A Book Illustration Award. Her favourite things to draw are dogs and sad people.

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