Emma Carroll is a
graduate from the MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University. I
personally champion the MA in Writing for Children at Winchester. But then I
would do. That's where I got my MA. I have to admit though in Carroll's case
they're on to a winner.
She has a diverse portfolio
of novels and I'll now try to read some more of them.
Letters from the Lighthouse is set in World War II. It touches also on
the Holocaust. One of the main characters, Esther Jenkins, has come to England
on the Kindertransport.
A little unusually
for this age group – I would describe this as a fluent reader book, though it
may cross over from late Key Stage 2 to early Key Stage 3 – it uses a first
person narrative. However this gives Olive an authentic voice and shows us what
it was like for a child in that era.
There is also a
very good story, woven together via a carefully crafted plot. Not only is this
story exciting and our attention is held but it explores the themes of
prejudice and friendship in a sensitive way.
A lovely read.
No wonder it was
nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal.
