When Shadows Fall

Name: William Joseph
Price range: $

by Sita Brahmachari, illustrated by Natalie Sirett

Interest age: 13+
Reading age: 12+

Published by Little Tiger, 2021

About this book

Kai, Zak and Orla grow up near the Rec, an abandoned piece of wild land in the countryside. It’s a safe paradise when they are children. But then a series of tragedies strike and Kai is knocked off course and into a downward spiral of drugs, crime and violence, while the Rec is threatened by housing developers.

Om, a refugee, comes to Kai’s aid with friendship and understanding. As Kai seems ever more doomed, Zak, Orla and Om pull together to try to save him. Saving the Rec becomes a metaphor for their struggle.

The novel is written partly in verse and in multiple voices, including those of two ravens that Kai cares for. It covers many sensitive topics, such as gang culture, a suicide attempt, infant death, and drug abuse. This is all handled sensitively, emphasising the importance of understanding why young people make bad choices and what lies behind their behaviour.

The book is a challenging but interesting read for children aged 13 and over, who are ready to read about and discuss complex but important topics.

About the author

Sita Brahmachari is a multi-award-winning writer of novels, plays, novellas and short stories. Sita's first novel, Artichoke Hearts, won the Waterstones Children's Book Award and was voted in the Guardian's top 50 books celebrating diversity since the 1950s. Her subsequent Carnegie-nominated novels are: Jasmine Skies, Red Leaves, Tender Earth, Worry Angels and Zebra Crossing Soul Song. Kite Spirit was nominated for the UKLA book award. She has been an Amnesty International Ambassador and speaks in schools, at festivals and conferences. In 2018 Tender Earth received the UK Honour from the International Board of Books for Young People. Sita is based in London.

She is a former Writer in Residence for BookTrust and Writer in Residence at the Islington Centre for Refugees and Migrants.