Corey's Rock - Hardcover

Brahmachari, Sita

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1910959979 ISBN 13: 9781910959978

Publisher: Otter-Barry Books, 2019

Synopsis

Ten-year-old Isla has moved from Edinburgh to the Orkney Islands with her parents, to start a new life after the death of Isla's beloved young brother. Isla's mother's family is from Orkney and her father's is from Africa, and she finds island life is very different to her former city home. Her discovery of the old Orcadian legend about the selkies, half human, half seal people, becomes the key to adjustment and acceptance.

Many strands are woven into this deceptively simple story – loss and discovery, legend and reality, the pleasures and problems of settling into a new place, the need to make new friends, the coming to terms with sadness. Jane Ray's illustrations capture the beauty of the island landscape and integrate it perfectly with the atmosphere and rich texture of the storytelling.

Endorsed by Amnesty International for illuminating the human rights values of family, friends, home, safety and refuge.

About this title

About the Author

Sita Brahmachari is the highly acclaimed author of Artichoke Hearts which won the UK's Waterstone's Children's Book Prize 2011, was chosen for The Book Trust's Booked Up scheme, nominated for the Carnegie Prize 2012 and also included in Guardian Awards top 50 diverse books. Her second novel Jasmine Skies was nominated for the Carnegie Prize 2013 and selected as a Recommended Read by The School Library Association. Kite Spirit has been recorded in audio form by actress Juliet Stevenson and was nominated for the UKLA Book Award, and her latest book Red Leaves was chosen as one of Book Trust's top reads in 2015 and endorsed by Amnesty International.

Jane Ray's distinctive style has established her as a highly successful artist. Best known as an illustrator and author of picture books for children, her work has attracted enormous attention around the world. She has been shortlisted five times for the prestigious Kate Greenaway Medal. Some of her highly acclaimed titles include Ahmed and the Feather Girl; Greek Myths: Stories of Sun, Stone and Sea and Zeraffa Giraffa.

Review

"A tale lyrically told, dressed in sublime illustrations that brilliantly depict the fragility and beauty of life, lost in landscape where myth and sea converge." - Kirkus Starred Review

"A touching and sensitive exploration of the challenges of a family coming to terms with the upheaval caused by the loss of the youngest child told through the perspective of the sibling. The words and illustrations weave seamlessly and beautifully together to bring the world of this family to life connecting the reader to the pain of their present and the hopes for their future. There is a real magical quality to this book stemming from the synergy between Brahmachari and Ray." - Farrah Serroukh, CLPE - 10 of the Best starring children from BAME backgrounds

"Touching and sensitive...There is a real magical quality to this book stemming from the synergy between Brahmachari and Ray." - Books for Keeps

"A beautiful collaboration between an author and illustrator, who have both been involved in their local centre for refugees and migrants, which brings together themes of loss and new beginnings, friendship and cultural heritage." -Ann Lazim, CLPE Books of the Year

"Enchanting and mysterious...There are many strands to the story – coping with death, letting go of a loved one, local legends, poetry, starting a new school, making friends, being a dual-heritage family, and rediscovering a lost community. All the elements are brought together by the gorgeous illustrations, and you find yourself immersed in the poetry of the selkie legends, which help Isla accept theloss of her brother and settle into a new friendship." - Juno magazine

"This is a treasure of a book that deserves a wide audience and at the right time, could help grieving families come to terms with their own loss." - Red Reading Hub

"A complex and thoughtful story, handling many issues in a relatively brief text. The author has interwoven the strands skilfully and compassionately, bringing us a book that appeals for many different reasons. Ultimately, it is about learning to handle grief, with help from others. Jane Ray's sensitive and beautiful illustrations capture the emotion of the story and show readers the beauty of the Orkney Islands, through rich colour and emotive portrayals." - Parents in Touch

"A moving and beautifully written story about grief and coping with change. The illustrations perfectly complement the text, evoking both the island setting and the dreamlike sequences beautifully." - Books for Keeps 5 star review

"Many strands are woven into this deceptively simple story - loss and discovery, legend and reality, the pleasures and problems of settling into a new place, the need to make new friends, the coming to terms with sadness...this is a heartfelt and often emotional read. - Read it, Daddy!

"Sensitive, sad and ultimately uplifting, this short tale of a family dealing with the loss of a child is deeply affecting. Brahmachari always writes with tenderness and awareness about how global and personal difficulties affect children, and Jane Ray's soft wash illustrations hold the space beautifully for this quiet story of transformation and healing." - Booktrust - Books we Love

"A magical tale that will bring comfort to its young readers." - Sarah Crossan, Carnegie Medal winner

Edition details

• Publisher: Otter-Barry Books
• Publication date: 2019
• ISBN 10: 1910959979
• ISBN 13: 9781910959978
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 96
• Illustrator: Ray Jane