book cover

The Week At World’s End

by Emma Carroll

Interest age: 11 to 13
Reading age: 9+

Published by Faber, 2021

  • Adventure
  • Coming-of-age
  • Historical

About this book

For one week in October 1962, the world held its breath wondering if a seemingly imminent nuclear war would destroy the planet. But, while the adults become ever more tense and anxious, Stevie Fisher is concerned about something much closer to home.

There’s a girl hiding in Stevie's garden shed. A girl, Anna, who claims she is on the run from poisoners. And she needs help.

With the adults distracted and nothing else of interest to do, Stevie and her best friend Ray agree to help. But as Anna’s behaviour gets stranger, and Stevie discovers a shocking family secret, it almost seems as if Anna has been sent to her with a message from beyond the grave.

Set against the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis, which almost led to nuclear war between the USA and the Soviet Union, Stevie’s story shows how global events can have consequences that trickle down to change individual lives.

Inspired by the emerging civil rights movement, Stevie, Ray and Anna discover that if you have the courage to speak up when something is not right, you may find that other people feel the same way. And everyone has the right to be heard.

More books like this

Share this page Twitter Facebook LinkedIn