A Flash of Fireflies

Description

A magical middle grade book about family, friendship and finding your place, with a delicate touch of magic. Perfect for 10-12 year olds and fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Michelle Harrison and Kiran Millwood-Hargrave and The Girl Who Speaks Bear. Hazel's new life in England should have been the stuff of fairy tales; after all her Great Aunt's cottage looked just like a gingerbread house, with a magical garden and whispering fireflies promising quests and adventures. But as Hazel struggles to deal with the challenges of the everyday world - making friends, missing her family - she also learns that every fairy tale has a dark side. And there are terrifying creatures that lurk in the shadows . . .

Aisha Bushby is a writer who combines heartbreaking emotional stories and unforgettable characters with a sprinkling of magic. She was selected as one of only four previously unpublished authors in the Stripes anthology, A Change is Gonna Come, alongside writers such as Patrice Lawrence, Tanya Byrne and Nikesh Shukla. The anthology was awarded a YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award. Her debut novel, A Pocketful of Stars (2019), was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Branford Boase and described as 'poignant and atmospheric' by the Guardian. Her second novel Moonchild: Voyage of the Lost and Found (2020), is the first in a new series of magical fantasy adventures, inspired by The Arabian Nights. You can follow her on Twitter @aishabushby.

'A shot of story straight into the veins. Absolutely masterful writing that manages to be vivid, powerful and tender all at once. Aisha Bushby is a storytelling genius.' Louie Stowell, author of Loki: A Bad God's Guide to Being Good 'A beautiful story about defeating the demons within - full of hope, love & tenderness.' - Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear 'Spellbinding, beautiful and eerie in equal measure . . . a phenomenally good book!' A.F.Steadman, author of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief For A Pocketful of Stars: 'Bushby's debut is poignant and atmospheric', Imogen Russell-Williams, Guardian 'A gorgeous story of family and growing up', Cathy Cassidy 'Moving and heartfelt', Anna James, author of Pages and Co For the Moonchild duology: 'Inspired by The Arabian Nights, Aisha whisks us away to a rich and exotic world lled with magic, secrets and mystery. She transports the reader through the most beautiful and descriptive language stimulating all of our senses. We hear the danger in the storm rattling ominously in the sky above, the waves crashing against the dhow spraying us with salt and smell the aromas that Amira experiences so deeply.' Booklover Jo 'You'll be swept away with Amira on a wonderful adventure . . .' The Week Junior