The Bird Singers

Description

'The whistling had started on their first night. At first, Layah thought it was bird song - a high thin sound which became a melody, rising and falling. And each night, it returned.' Strange things have been happening to Layah and her younger sister, Izzie, ever since their mother dragged them to a rain-soaked cottage miles from anywhere in the Lake District: there is a peculiar whistling at night, a handful of unusual feathers appear on their doorstep and there are murmurings of a shadowed woman in the forest. And their mother is behaving very oddly. Layah is mourning the loss of her dear grandmother in Poland - and can almost hear her Babcia's voice telling her the old myths and fairy tales from that magical place. And as the holiday takes on a dark twist, Layah begins to wonder if the myths might just be real. A thrilling debut from remarkable new talent, Eve Wersocki Morris.

Eve Wersocki Morris grew up in North London and has been making up stories her whole life. Despite being diagnosed with dyslexia aged 12, she has not let that stop her literary ambitions and wrote her first full novel aged 13. She went on to study English at Nottingham University where she wrote, directed and performed in plays and was Arts Editor of the student magazine. She volunteers with Coram Beanstalk Literacy Charity as a reading helper for children, and has written book reviews for Stylist, Times Literature Supplement and The Bookseller.

A deliciously spine-tingling story with sisterhood at its heart. I loved it. -- A.F. Steadman A captivating story, full of intrigue. -- Abi Elphinstone Polish folklore meets the Lake District in a spooky page-turning mystery. I devoured it in one gulp. -- Phil Hickes The Bird Singers is a gloriously dark fantasy from an exciting new voice. A magical adventure with friendship and family at its heart. Eve Wersocki Morris's debut is one to look out for! -- Liz Kessler Dark, intoxicating, so full of killer twists I didn't know who to trust! This is an exciting, highly original debut from a great storyteller. -- Emma Carroll A wonderful tale of dark magic, supernatural forces and family secrets * The Week Junior * Children's Book of the Week - an assured debut from a notable new talent -- Nicolette Jones * The Sunday Times *