A Secret of Birds & Bone Award-winning author

A spellbinding new novel from the Sunday Times-bestselling author of The Girl of Ink & Stars, winner of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. ‘A story bursting with imagination, sparkle and tender heart … I adored it!’ JASBINDERBILAN

‘Both souful poetry and thrilling adventure; powerful and delicate, chilling and comforting’ SOPHIEANDERSON

‘Ripping propulsive plot, gorgeous imagery, floating fairytale prose … absolutely loved it’ ROSSMONTGOMERY

In an Italian city ravaged by plague, Sofia’s mother carves beautiful mementoes from the bones of loved ones. But one day, she doesn’t return home. Did her work lead her into danger? Sofia and her little brother Ermin are sent to the convent orphanage but soon escape, led by an enigmatic new friend and their pet crow, Corvith.

Together they cross the city underground, following clues in bones up to the towers of Siena, where – circled by magpies – the children find the terrible truth ...

PRAISE FOR KIRAN MILLWOOD HARGRAVE

‘She is an outstanding talent’ SAMANTHA SHANNON

‘The new big gun in children’s fiction’ TELEGRAPH

‘One of the most exciting emerging talents in children’s books’ OBSERVER

Product Details

Catalogue number

8308 in Books and Resources for Secondary Schools 2021

Format

Paperback

ISBN

9781911077947

Publisher

Chicken House Ltd

Date published

October 1st, 2020

Lexile measure

HL780L Lexiles are the global standard in reading assessment. They are unique as they are able to measure a child and a book on the same scale – ensuring the right book gets to the right child at the right time.

For more details see What is a lexile?.