Swan Song

Permanently excluded from school, Dylan and his mother are forced to move to live with his grandfather in a tiny Welsh village. Initially, things are difficult- his mother and grandfather are not close and Dylan finds himself without the distractions of games consoles and the Internet. However, things start to change when his grandfather takes Dylan out on a fishing trip and shows him the whooper swans. The peace and beauty of nature helps to restore his sense of wellbeing, but will it be enough to help him when new challenges arise?

Beautifully written, ‘Swan Song’ is a celebration of the healing power of nature. It also sensitively explores mental health issues. Dylan found the transition to secondary school very difficult and struggled to cope with the pressure he felt from the expectations of work. The story acknowledges how friendships change during the transition years as some try to ‘reinvent’ themselves and others can feel left behind as they see their friends move on. As so often happens in real life, Dylan’s behaviour became increasingly challenging as he felt more and more out of control. The curt dismissal of the head at the opening of the book is not my experience of this situation: it is a very long road to this point and one which we work so hard to avoid.

The relationship which develops between Dylan and his grandfather as they bond over their admiration for the swans is very touching. His grandfather’s non-judgemental approach and the trust he shows in his grandson help restore Dylan’s sense of self worth and he is able to relax, finding a sense of calm. This is enhanced by the beauty and tranquillity of their surroundings. Nature has also helped Dylan’s grandfather come to terms with the loss of his wife.

Gill Lewis shines when describing the natural world- her love of nature sings through every line. The threat to the swans’ habitat in the story and the action taken by the community underline the importance of conserving and protecting these spaces. There is so much packed into this short story- it is a joy to read. Another Barrington Stoke triumph!

Excellent for using in guided reading, there is so much to discuss and explore in this book. ‘Swan Song’ is a sensitive, thoughtful story, full of nature’s healing power.

Swan Song Gill Lewis

Barrington Stoke ISBN: 978-1781129548

Race to the Frozen North: The Matthew Henson Story

Orphan, Matthew Henson, runs away from his violent step-mother to find a new life in New York. Hard working and determined, young Matthew manages to find work in a cafe. Listening to the sea going stories of characters like Baltimore Jack, Matthew embarks on a life at sea as a cabin boy and ends up accompanying Captain Peary on his adventure to ‘discover’ the North Pole. In spite of being the first of the party to reach their goal, Matthew was given no recognition on his return to America.

This is a fabulous account of one of the unsung heroes of history. Having battled against the odds, Matthew Henson’s achievements were unacknowledged during his lifetime and are little known today so this very readable book is an essential addition to libraries and classrooms. The significant contribution made by the Inuit, who gave their expertise and support to the exhibition, and Matthew’s positive relationship with them are also highlighted in this stunning book.

On their return, Peary was celebrated for his achievements and received many accolades whereas Matthew was overlooked despite the fact that much of their success was due to his expertise. This uncomfortable truth offers the perfect starting point for discussions about racism and the importance of telling everyone’s story- not just that of those who fit a particular narrative.

This is an extremely satisfying read about a fascinating character with plenty of challenge in terms of content and vocabulary. It would make an excellent guided reading book and is an essential addition to topic boxes or book collections to enhance work on a number of topics.

Race to the Frozen North: The Matthew Henson Story

Catherine Johnson, illustrated by Katie Hickey

Barrington Stoke ISBN: 978-1781128404