By Lisette Auton (author) , Valentina Toro (illustrator)
"Spanning centuries as three young lives are threaded together by spidery connections, this Middle Grade adventure throngs with magic, ghosts, theatrical enchantment and friendship."
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Richly atmospheric, Lisette Auton’s Lights Up is a fine novel for readers who like meaty magical adventures. Boasting a unique blend of theatre, arachnids, and family connections through time, it explores love, loss, friendship and putting past ghosts to bed through thoroughly engaging, well-formed characters whose journeys linger long in the heart.
Lights Up begins in classic style, “Way Back When”, in 1767, when two sisters ask Mam to “Tell us about the spiders’ diamond that lets you say goodbye to the dead!” In reality, Araine is alone in the world.
Skip forward to 1878, and we meet Jack, who’s bursting with anticipation before visiting the Machiavelli Empire theatre. Turns out, Harus and Ariane Machiavelli have been waiting for Jack and he’s invited backstage…
Meanwhile, a third present-day narrative features Hettie Lightfoot, whose grandad was Artistic Director of the Free Spirits theatre. Now both are gone, with a new theatre building standing in place of the former, and Grandad still very much in Hettie’s heart. Everything changes when she finds a letter to her from a certain Jack Redwood: “We are the only ones who understand the fire burning deep in your heart. If you want to see your grandad for one final time, come to our theatre”.
As connections between the characters come to light, emotional truths around loss and grief, love and friendship are subtly unveiled, making Lights Up a magical novel that’s also illuminating on handling raw real-life situations.
A magical, theatrical adventure about friendship, acceptance and putting the ghosts of the past to rest, from the award-winning author of The Secret of Haven Point. Just like her favourite person in the whole world - her grandad - Hettie's favourite place in the whole world - the Arts Centre - has gone. And Hettie can't quite work out how she's supposed to feel anything like how she did before.
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A magical, theatrical adventure about friendship, acceptance and putting the ghosts of the past to rest, from the award-winning author of The Secret of Haven Point . Just like her favourite person in the whole world - her grandad - Hettie's favourite place in the whole world - the Arts Centre - has gone. And Hettie can't quite work out how she's supposed to feel anything like how she did before.
Many years before, Jack is feeling lonely too. But his life changes when he's taken in by a theatre troupe and learns the secrets of the mysterious people behind the acts. And many years before that, Araine is also struggling, with a life that doesn't look anything like she thought it would. A meagre existence where it seems like rich people, with their evenings out at the theatre, don't have a thing to worry about. When you're feeling alone it can be hard to see the light.
But even though they live YEARS apart, Hettie, Jack and Araine are connected in ways they never imagined.
A magical story full of ghosts, theatre, love, friendship and family from disabled writer, activist, spoken word artist and theatre maker Lisette Auton.
Perfect for fans of Elle McNicoll and Sophie Anderson.
Lisette Auton is a northern disabled writer, activist, poet, novelist, spoken-word artist, actor, film and theatre-maker, and creative practitioner. She's an award- winning poet who has performed at Northern Stage, ARC, the Southbank Centre and the Sage, in pubs, in a crypt, at festivals, indoors, outdoors, on a bridge and in a launderette.
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A magical, theatrical adventure about friendship, acceptance and putting the ghosts of the past to rest, from the award-winning author of The Secret of Haven Point. Just like her favourite person in the whole world - her grandad - Hettie's favourite place in the whole world - the Arts Centre - has gone.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Lights Up and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-10 years old
Lights Up features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Recommendations, Adventure Stories, Fantasy / Magical, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Lights Up was written by Lisette Auton and published by Puffin an imprint of Penguin Random House Children's UK
Lights Up has 37 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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