The Secret of Nightingale Wood

An evocative, beautifully written, mesmerizing debut tale with lush fairy-tale themes and a poignant exploration of mental illness—enthralling.

Set a year after the end of WWI, this compelling debut places imaginative 12-year-old narrator Henrietta "Hen" Abbott in an impossible situation. After the death of Hen's brother, her father moves the family from London to the countryside, only to depart to the continent for work, leaving Hen's mother struggling with mental illness and cared for by a sinister doctor. "Suddenly I felt dangerously alone," Hen recounts. "Mama was ill and drugged. Father was not here. Doctor Hardy thought I was going mad, and Nanny Jane had become his spy." She finds solace in the woods and meets a supposed witch (whom she dubs Moth) living in a caravan. The mystery surrounding this woman becomes a central thread, and her character extends needed kindness to Hen, supporting her efforts to save her family. Strange effectively weaves in fairy tales, poetry, and themes common to classic children's literature, reflecting Hen's love of books. A brave heroine propels this strong and richly layered novel, a memorable portrait of grief, resilience, and rebirth. Ages 8-12. (Oct.)

Gr 5-7--It is 1919, and 12-year-old Henrietta and her family have just moved from London to Hope House in the country after the tragic death of her older brother. Henry's mother is shut up in her room, heavily medicated, and Henry's father leaves the country on business. Nanny Jane has Henry's baby sister, "Piglet," to manage, leaving Henry alone to read her books and explore the Nightingale Wood. Following a mysterious firelight, Henry meets a wild, witchy woman named Moth who lives in the woods and seems to want to help. Meanwhile, Dr. Hardy keeps upping Mother's medication and conspires to commit her to the Helldon mental institution and remove Piglet into his own care. Henry must find a way to save her mother, bring her father home, and protect Piglet, all while she solves the mystery within the Nightingale Wood. This is a haunting gothic tale of love, courage, healing, and family. The story deals with grief, PTSD, and mental health in a tender and moving way. Henry is a thoroughly lovable character, and the setting is dark and mysterious without being too scary. Strange has a wonderful way of evoking classic fairy tales and the love of books while keeping the mystery moving along. VERDICT An excellent addition to middle grade shelves, especially where readers crave atmospheric, slightly dark stories.--Terry Ann Lawler, Burton Barr Library, Phoenix

Praise for The Secret of Nightingale Wood

A Telegraph Top 50 Book of the Year
A Waterstones Book of the Month Pick

"From the first page, I was entirely smitten and compelled to read on until I finished this mysterious and poignant story." — Pam Munoz Ryan, author of Newbery Honor Book Echo and Esperanza Rising

"Superbly balanced between readability and poetry... this is an assured debut." — The Guardian (UK)

"Rich with nods to classics...this outstanding debut explores family, grief and mental illness with great skill." — The Bookseller (UK)

"A gripping novel in Secret Garden mode... Bliss for passionate readers aged nine and older." — The New Statesman (UK)

"Strange's writing is luminous, and she has created a story about friendship, love and family that is wonderfully involving." — Literary Review (UK)

"Friendships, family, love and loss all come together in this beautiful debut." — The Sunday Express (UK)

"Tender, funny, devastating and just about word perfect, I loved every page of this extraordinary book." — Natasha Farrant, author of The Secret Diary of Lydia Bennet

"A beautifully told story about loss, grief and the restorative power of the imagination." — M.G. Leonard, author of Beetle Boy