The House of Light

🔐🚣🏻❄️💔

by Julia Green 

★★★-

Review

The house of light is a beautiful story that hits you right in the heart. With themes of war, loss, grief and hardship, the book encourages the reader to reflect on their own lives and appreciate the small things that bring them comfort and joy. 

When 13 year old Bonnie discovers a small rowing boat in the beach, her dreams of rescui by her Granda and breaking free from the authorities seem almost within reach. However, she soon discovers that this boat is not lost; it belongs to a strange boy who is moments from death. Determined t hold on to her dream, Bonnie swears to hide Ish from those who hunt him in exchange for a new life on the horizon little does Bonnie know that her world is about to be turned upside down and things will never be the same again. 

I absolutely adored the strong theme of love and companionship in this story, taking an instant liking to Bonnie and her Granda. Their love for each other shines throughout the entire story and made me think of those who I love the most. 

As well as the characters, I loved the dystopian feel of this book, with the fictional authorities patrolling and controlling those in the village. The dark, twisted nature of these soldiers contrasted nicely with the love of Bonnie and her Granda, creating a really well balanced read. 

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian worlds, or enjoy the narration of young but determined narrators who will give anything for their family. Readers who enjoyed ‘Goodnight Mister Tom’, ‘The Lost Year’ or other such stories would surely love to is book too! 

Dive Deeper

At a glance 

Author: Julia Green

Illustrator: Helen Crawford-White

Release Date: 6th June 2019

Book type: Chapter, 256 pages

Reader level: Confident reader, Shared read 9+

Blurb

Bonnie is scavenging on a beach when she finds a battered old row boat. And under the boat, a bare-footed boy-cold, hungry, and in need of help.
The authorities have already been troubling Bonnie and Granda for breaking rules, but how can she leave this boy when he has no-one?
Bonnie does her best to keep the boy hidden from the border guards, but as their suspicions grow, she wonders if it's time to escape the life she's always known. Under cover of darkness they set sail to the 'house of light' in search of a new beginning, and a sense of hope.

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