Feather

Huw had been expecting his summer holidays to be a round of lazy days hanging out with his mates, spending time at the river and, of course, popping in to Nan’s house for cake and a bit of a laugh.  

But the day Nan calls him by the wrong name, Johnny, marks the beginning of an upsetting decline in her memory and behaviour.  

Johnny was her older brother. He went to war and never came back – or so the story goes. For as long as Huw can remember, Nan has refused to talk about Johnny, but as her condition deteriorates, she lets slip enough information for Huw and his friends to be able to properly investigate the facts about what really happened to Johnny all those years ago.   

Combining an intriguing family mystery with world war history and the experience of an elderly relative sliding into the grip of dementia, this is an absorbing story of family, friendship, loyalty and facing up to past mistakes. 

While many readers will identify with Huw’s sadness and confusion as he slowly loses aspects of his nan, everyone will be drawn in by the enigma of Johnny and his life.