By Cathy Faulkner (author)
"Set just after WW1 this thoughtful verse novel follows two children whose experiences of grief shape both their perspectives and their actions."
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Cathy Faulkner’s The Treasure Seekers is a verse novel set in a fictional northern village in the aftermath of the First World War, where communities are still coming to terms with loss and are then faced with the additional strain of the flu epidemic. The story follows Martha and Stanley, two children whose experiences of grief shape both their perspectives and their actions.
Martha is deeply affected by the death of her grandfather in a fire that destroyed his manor house, and she attributes much of her unhappiness, including her father’s depression, to that event. Her viewpoint is often inward-looking, particularly in the early stages of the novel. Stanley, on the other hand, has lost several members of his family in the war and is now facing the possible loss of his mother to illness.
He becomes focused on the idea that restoring the church’s missing stained glass windows might help bring some sense of healing to the village, and he draws Martha into this effort.
The verse format gives the story a gentle pace, and the use of concrete poetry at times adds an extra layer of meaning and interest, although it can occasionally disrupt the flow. The two narrative voices are clearly signposted through different fonts and very different accents, helping those unfamiliar with this style to distinguish between Martha and Stanley.
As the story develops, Martha begins to look beyond her own grief and consider the experiences of those beyond her privileged life. Martha’s gradual movement towards greater awareness of others is an important part of the story and it is her developing understanding that moves the story forward. Overall, the novel offers a thoughtful exploration of loss and community, with an accessible style that will appeal to readers new to verse fiction.
An inspirational new free-verse novel from the award-winning author of Digging for Victory which was short-listed for The Week Junior Book Awards 2024 ‘Breakthrough Book’ category and long-listed for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, Branford Boase Award and UKLA Book Awards 2024.
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November 1918. Stanley is convinced that the precious stained-glass window from the church, that Martha’s grandfather hid during the war, will save his village, and his mother, who is desperately ill. But Martha refuses to help him search, wanting to keep her beloved grandfather’s secrets safe.
When Stanley gets ill too, Martha visits the village, and realises she must act to help. She begins her own treasure hunt, even as her father is also struggling with the aftermath of the Great War. As the people who are most important to them suffer, Martha and Stanley are desperate to restore the village's fortunes before it's too late.
Set in the aftermath of WWI The Treasures Seekers examines themes of mental health, grief, class-divides and friendship with a sure but gentle touch.
Praise for Digging for Victory :
‘A compelling debut.’ The Sunday Times
‘I absolutely loved it!’ Dan Smith
‘A wonderful story, so beautifully told.’ Elen Caldecott
‘Adventure-filled with beautiful verse and a very satisfying ending.’ Lucy Cuthew
Cathy Faulkner has a BA in English Literature and an MA in Writing for Young People. She has taught in schools, colleges and universities in England and abroad, and currently teaches at the University of Bristol. Besides writing, she loves gardening, musical theatre and making stained glass windows. Digging for Victory is her first novel. Cathy is based in North Somerset.
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An inspirational new free-verse novel from the award-winning author of Digging for Victory which was short-listed for The Week Junior Book Awards 2024 ‘Breakthrough Book’ category and long-listed for the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing, Branford Boase Award and UKLA Book Awards 2024. November 1918.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed The Treasure Seekers and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
The Treasure Seekers features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Recommendations, Historical Fiction, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational
Paperback. £8.09, down from the £8.99 cover price. In Stock.
The Treasure Seekers was written by Cathy Faulkner and published by Firefly Press
The Treasure Seekers has 309 pages
£8.09, reduced from £8.99. In Stock.
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