A Drop of Golden Sun
Publisher: Faber
This is the story of Jenny, a sweet, kind 10-year-old, who lands a role in a Hollywood movie filmed in a French chateau.
Jenny is an ordinary kind of girl rather than a stage kid kind of girl, but she’s good at tap dancing. She’s struggled with friendships in the past, and also with the death of her dad, and this story is about coming back from that, working through hard times, and making deep friendships.
The story is set in the 1970s and has a very nostalgic feel - but it also explores how people spoke about mental health at that time, which feels pretty stark now.
The author was inspired to write the book when she wondered what it would have been like for the children who starred in the movie The Sound of Music, and the plot of the movie within the book is very similar, as it’s set at the end of the Second World War.
It’s a lovely read, and will be particularly enjoyed by children who enjoy reading classics or who love The Sound of Music. It’s so sad to know that this is Kate Saunders’ last book, as she died in 2023. She leaves a legacy of wonderfully written books.
