by David Almond
First published 2002
Ten-year-old Michael faces changes he cannot understand when his baby sister falls gravely ill. His family moves to a new house on Falconer Road, leaving behind everything familiar. The old garage holds shadows and mysteries that adults cannot see. Michael finds someone there who should not exist, a creature both ancient and fragile who needs his help. With his new friend Mina, who teaches him about birds and poetry, Michael learns that some things survive even when they seem broken. As his sister fights for life in the hospital, Michael discovers that healing comes from unexpected places. The boundary between the possible and impossible dissolves when love demands action. Michael must choose between the safety of doubt and the risk of believing in what his heart knows to be true.
Genres: fantasy, contemporary, magical-realism, family-drama
Vibes: intimate, lyrical, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, healing
Setting: Falconer Road
Period: 20th-century
64 pages · Paperback · Hodder Children's Books