By Eva Ibbotson (author)
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Eva Ibbotson is so clever at capturing moments in history and weaving a story around them and her characters too are so real you feel you can reach out and touch them. Here in A Song for Summer is absolutely no exception. A growing friendship leads to romance but at what price. Can good deliver over evil when it involves Hitler’s Reich and can the relationship survive?
When eighteen-year-old Ellen accepts the post of housekeeper at Hallendorf School of Music, Drama and Dance, she wasn't expecting it to be quite so unusual. For deep in the beautiful Austrian countryside, she finds a magical world. Ellen is particularly intrigued by the enigmatic, and very handsome, Marek, gardener and fencing teacher.
Born in Vienna, Eva Ibbotson came to England as a small girl. She spent much of her adult life in Newcastle upon Tyne. When her husband was alive he bred snails in the garage; they also kept fish and had a small and very hairy dog. Eva had four grown-up children and seven grandchildren. She wrote for both adults and children. Which Witch was runner-up for the Carnegie Medal and The Secret of Platform 13 was shortlisted for the Smarties Prize. Journey to the River Sea won the Smarties Book Prize Gold Award, was runner-up for the Whitbread Children's Book of the Year and the Guardian Fiction Award, and was also shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.
Eva's books for older readers (12+) include: The Morning Gift , A Song for Summer , The Secret Countess , A Company of Swans and Magic Flutes . Her books for younger readers (9+) include: The Dragonfly Pool , Journey to the River Sea and The Star of Kazan.
And for even younger readers (7+): Which Witch , Dial a Ghost , Not just a Witch , Monster Mission , The Beasts of Clawstone Castle , The secret of Platform 13 , The Great Ghost rescue and The Haunting of Hiram .
Eva's final novel that she completed prior to her death at the age of 85 in 2010 is called One Dog and his Boy .
Eva Ibbotson on writing: "I started to scribble stories when I was about seven years old and I just carried on so I became a writer gradually. I didn't try to get anything published until I was quite grown-up. I write at my mother's old desk, looking out on to a leafy street, and I rewrite what I have written again and again until I get the words the way I want them (most of my pages have been through eight drafts or so). It's my belief that one should be in the same place each day, so that if an idea is hovering it knows where to find you. Ideas can come from places one has seen or conversations one has overheard - or just from nowhere! Being an author can be lonely, difficult and frustrating, but there is nothing else I'd rather be."
When eighteen-year-old Ellen accepts the post of housekeeper at Hallendorf School of Music, Drama and Dance, she wasn't expecting it to be quite so unusual. For deep in the beautiful Austrian countryside, she finds a magical world.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Song For Summer and determined it is suitable for children aged 11-12 years old
Song For Summer features in the following genres: Recommended Children's eBooks, Recommendations, Featured Books for 11+ readers
Paperback. Not Available.
Song For Summer was written by Eva Ibbotson and published by Pan Macmillan
Song For Summer has 423 pages
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