book cover

Jackdaw Summer

by David Almond

Interest age: 12+
Reading age: 8+

Published by Hodder Children's Books, 2013

  • Adventure
  • Coming-of-age

About this book

It seems fate leads Liam to find an abandoned baby and as a result his life becomes entwined with that of Oliver, an African boy seeking asylum and Crystal, an emotionally damaged girl.

Acknowledging the connection between them, Liam helps them to escape the authorities who would deport Oliver. Liam learns about the horrors of real war, of young lives abused and families destroyed. The mock savagery of his games overflows into an anger that is too much for him to bear.

Friendship, loyalty and truth are explored through a cast of complex characters in this compelling story. While often tense, it ends on a note of hope.

About the author

David Almond is the highly acclaimed author of Skellig, The Savage, Clay, My Name Is Mina, My Dad's a Birdman, Slog's Dad and many other novels, stories and plays. His books are translated into almost forty languages and are widely adapted for stage and screen. His numerous awards include the Carnegie Medal, two Whitbread Children's Book Awards and Le Prix Sorcieres, and in 2010 he gained the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the highest international prize for children's authors. David lives with his family in Hexham, Northumberland.

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