By Yarrow Townsend (author) , Marie-Alice Harel (illustrator)
"Strikingly original fantasy debut with a big environmental message and great heart"
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Shortlisted for The Branford Boase Award 2023
From a very appropriately named author, we have a wonderfully well realised fantasy world that has its roots quite literally in our own natural environment. But here plants have a major part to play - even communicating with our brave and resilient heroine Orla, an orphan who has lived on her own in the village of Thorn Creek since the death of her Ma, with only her beloved garden for company.
A mysterious illness threatens the village and when nature itself is blamed, Orla rises to its defence and knows that she must find a cure. With her mother’s secret book of plants and remedies in her bag she hides away on a river boat with two other local children, Idris and Ariana, with the intention of discovering the truth about the illness.
They get swept up into a dangerous adventure as they race upriver and against time to solve the mystery. Orla is a prickly and fiercely independent character, scornful of Ariana and distrustful of Idris and the gradual growth of trust and friendship is a very satisfying aspect of the story.
The solution to their village’s predicament lies in nature itself and the importance of respecting nature rather than exploiting it for selfish gain, is key to the final resolution. The exploration of how those in power spread lies to serve their own purpose, fearmongering to deflect blame, often onto a wise woman like Orla’s Ma, is another strong theme.
A rather lovely feature is the way each chapter heading incorporates the name of a plant and its uses which complements the way in which the plants themselves feature in the story, supporting Orla throughout. A thrilling and absorbing eco-adventure that will gain many fans who will be keen to see what Yarrow Townsend will write next. Highly recommended.
Set in a world where plants talk, friendship is hard-won and adventure is around the bend of every river.
Read the full description
Orla has lived on her own since Ma died, with only her beloved garden for company. When sickness comes and nature is blamed, Orla knows she must find a cure. Armed with her mother's book of plants and remedies, she steals away on a river boat with two other stowaways, Idris and Ariana. Soon the trio must navigate the rapids of the Inkwater to a poisonous place from which they may never return.
The debut novel from an astonishingly talented new writer.
A wild rapids-ride of a story, suffused at every turn with authentic details of the natural world
A gorgeous gifty book: a flapped paperback with illustration by Marie-Alice Harel.
'Townsend has crafted an uncannily rich and tactile atmosphere, grounding the reader in the setting so successfully that I could almost feel the river mist settling in my hair.' - Sarah Driver
'Just finished this breathless marvel and there's so much to love about it. Wild and imaginative storytelling, it introduces us to talking oaks, poisonous rock and a central character with a lot to prove.' - Fleur Hitchcock
Branford Boase 2023 – what the judges had to say about the shortlist
The year’s outstanding debut authors for children: shortlist for the 2023 Branford Boase Award announced
The Branford Boase Award 2023
the best books for 9-12 year olds · the best books for teenagers
Alex Neptune, Pirate Hunter
Set in a world where plants talk, friendship is hard-won and adventure is around the bend of every river. Orla has lived on her own since Ma died, with only her beloved garden for company.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Map of Leaves and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Map of Leaves features in the following genres: Adventure Stories, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Ecological and Environmental Interest - Fiction, Fantasy / Magical, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Featured Books for 9+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Map of Leaves was written by Yarrow Townsend and published by Chicken House Ltd
The Map of Leaves has 320 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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