Red Leaves

Zak's parents have recently divorced and he has moved into a new house, Aisha lives just up the road from Zak with her foster mother and Iona, known as Red, has been living on the street for sometime. A whole host of events bring this unlikely trio together, including a family who survived World War II but who cannot rest and who speak to the children through their dreams. They gradually learn that they have far more in common than they suspected. War is a theme which appears repeatedly in this book and which different view points are offered on.

Sita Brahmachari has created a beautiful tale of modern multicultural Britain. Her characters come from diverse backgrounds but are brought together by the common theme - they all feel they have been abandoned by someone they love. Although the story takes place in Britain Sita weaves in stories from across the world showing how we can all be affected by events, and more particularly conflicts, which are taking places hundreds of miles from our homes.