Seaglass
by Eloise Williams
Interest age: 10 to 14
Reading age: 10+
Published by Firefly Press, 2018
About this book
Thirteen-year-old Lark is dreading her family holiday in a bleak Welsh caravan park. Mam is ill, Dad is out of work, and her little sister Snow has stopped speaking. To make matters worse, lots of other families are joining them, including Lark’s former best friend Gwenni and her new boyfriend Jake the Idiot.
When they arrive, the sisters explore the nearby woods and discover a desolate ruined cottage. Snow immediately claims it as their new den, but the house gives Lark the creeps. As the week draws on, Lark feels increasingly anxious. While she collects seaglass on the beach, she senses a presence hiding in the sea fog. Then she keeps glimpsing a mysterious girl in green, sending shivers down her spine. Although she tries to dismiss her growing unease, when the figure appears in Snow’s drawings, Lark fears that her sister is in terrible danger.
This chilling ghost story will have readers gripped from the outset. As well as the spine-tingling supernatural elements, this compelling novel contains beautifully-written descriptions of the Welsh coastline and wildlife, and also explores issues such as racism, friendship, honesty and trust.
More books like this
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The Curio Collectors
by Eloise Williams, illustrated by Anna Shepeta
5 to 9 years
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Honesty and Lies
by Eloise Williams
9 to 14 years
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Gaslight
by Eloise Williams
9 to 14 years
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Scareground
by Angela Kecojevic
9 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Children's books set in Wales
Wales lends itself naturally to some brilliant stories, with its incredible, varied scenery: towering mountains and tumbling hills and gasp-worthy coastline. It's also a country of storytelling, full of myths and legend: dragons and witches and tales of King Arthur. If you live in or are from Wales (or just going for your holidays), you may be looking for books set there to share with your child. Here are just a few of our favourites for you to check out.