The bone sparrow

A girl makes friends with a boy who has lived in a detention centre for refugees all his life.

Subhi is a refugee. Born in a detention centre, all he knows of the world is that he's at least 19 fence diamonds high, that the nice Jackets never stay long, and at night the sea finds its way to his tent, bringing with it unusual treasures. Bringing him Jimmie.

Jimmie lives on the Outside. Carrying a notebook that she's unable to read and wearing a sparrow made out of bone around her neck - both talismans of her family's past and the mother she's lost - she strikes up an unlikely friendship with Subhi across the fence.

As he reads aloud the tale of how Jimmie's family came to be, both children discover the importance of their own stories in writing their futures.

Vivid, emotional and uplifting, The Bone Sparrow is a timely story of survival and bravery, one which reminds us all of the importance of freedom and hope, and the power of a story to speak for anyone who's ever struggled to find a safe home.

NOTE: Carnegie Medal Shortlist 2017
Guardian Children's Fiction Prize Shortlist 2016
Amnesty CILIP Honour Carnegie Category Winner 2017
Contains animal cruelty, violence and murder.

Narrative voice is utterly authentic and the unfolding action quietly devastating. A powerful read that stays with you, offering no easy answers. A must!

• Shortlisted - Carnegie Medal 2017

Contains animal cruelty, violence and murder.