When Shadows Fall
Published on 16. March 2023
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-78895-680-2 (ISBN)
Description
Shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal
The Times' Best Books for Children 2021
"How quickly teenagers fall apart - and how fast they can heal. This is the hopeful message from Sita Brahmachari, a writer who mixes verse and prose to tell stories that stick." - Alex O'Connell, The Times
Kai, Orla and Zak grew up together, their days spent on the patch of wilderness in between their homes, a small green space in a sprawling grey city. Music, laughter and friendship bind them together and they have big plans for their future - until Kai's family suffers a huge loss.
Trying to cope with his own grief, as well as watching it tear his family apart, Kai is drawn into a new and more dangerous crowd, until his dreams for the future are a distant memory. Excluded from school and retreating from his loved ones, it seems as though his path is set, his story foretold. Orla, Zak and new classmate Om are determined to help him find his way back. But are they too late?
A heart-breaking and poignant novel from award-winning author Sita Brahmachari, for fans of THE BLACK FLAMINGO, AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY and POET X.
PRAISE FOR WHEN SHADOWS FALL:
"When Shadows Fall is an invitation to join a community at the heart of which is the tale of a young man gripped by tragedy and trauma. The book offers hope through mutual support and a focus in figuring out what really matters... I was moved and uplifted." - Michael Rosen
"Full of empathy and hope ... Kai's story is a must read for teens to explore how easily things can fall apart but also how we can heal." - A. M. Dassu, author of Boy, Everywhere
"A song of growing up, grief and the power of connection, When Shadows Fall is an illuminating and lyrical read" - Polly Ho-Yen, author of Boy in the Tower
"Beautifully told with real care, tenderness and heart" - Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha and the Spirit Bird
"Sita's lyrical prose captures the raw emotions of adolescence - of a young person navigating their way through grief and troubled times. A book for all of us." - Gill Lewis, author of Swan Song
"A heart-wrenching story about loss and art and nature, about how things can fall apart and how friends stand beside one another no matter what" - Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How to Change the World
"Empathetic, original, searingly sad in places, but full of hope, & the power of friendship, art, music, wild places, and ravens" - Nicola Penfold, author of Where the World Turns Wild
"A gripping, tender, terrifying work... Impactful, innovative, and deeply moving." - Sinead O'Hart, author of The Eye of the North
The Times' Best Books for Children 2021
"How quickly teenagers fall apart - and how fast they can heal. This is the hopeful message from Sita Brahmachari, a writer who mixes verse and prose to tell stories that stick." - Alex O'Connell, The Times
Kai, Orla and Zak grew up together, their days spent on the patch of wilderness in between their homes, a small green space in a sprawling grey city. Music, laughter and friendship bind them together and they have big plans for their future - until Kai's family suffers a huge loss.
Trying to cope with his own grief, as well as watching it tear his family apart, Kai is drawn into a new and more dangerous crowd, until his dreams for the future are a distant memory. Excluded from school and retreating from his loved ones, it seems as though his path is set, his story foretold. Orla, Zak and new classmate Om are determined to help him find his way back. But are they too late?
A heart-breaking and poignant novel from award-winning author Sita Brahmachari, for fans of THE BLACK FLAMINGO, AND THE STARS WERE BURNING BRIGHTLY and POET X.
PRAISE FOR WHEN SHADOWS FALL:
"When Shadows Fall is an invitation to join a community at the heart of which is the tale of a young man gripped by tragedy and trauma. The book offers hope through mutual support and a focus in figuring out what really matters... I was moved and uplifted." - Michael Rosen
"Full of empathy and hope ... Kai's story is a must read for teens to explore how easily things can fall apart but also how we can heal." - A. M. Dassu, author of Boy, Everywhere
"A song of growing up, grief and the power of connection, When Shadows Fall is an illuminating and lyrical read" - Polly Ho-Yen, author of Boy in the Tower
"Beautifully told with real care, tenderness and heart" - Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha and the Spirit Bird
"Sita's lyrical prose captures the raw emotions of adolescence - of a young person navigating their way through grief and troubled times. A book for all of us." - Gill Lewis, author of Swan Song
"A heart-wrenching story about loss and art and nature, about how things can fall apart and how friends stand beside one another no matter what" - Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How to Change the World
"Empathetic, original, searingly sad in places, but full of hope, & the power of friendship, art, music, wild places, and ravens" - Nicola Penfold, author of Where the World Turns Wild
"A gripping, tender, terrifying work... Impactful, innovative, and deeply moving." - Sinead O'Hart, author of The Eye of the North
Reviews / Votes
When Shadows Fall is an invitation to join a community at the heart of which is the tale of a young man gripped by tragedy and trauma. The book offers hope through mutual support and a focus in figuring out what really matters... I was moved and uplifted. -- Michael Rosen How quickly teenagers fall apart - and how fast they can heal. This is the hopeful message from Sita Brahmachari, a writer who mixes verse and prose to tell stories that stick. -- Alex O'Connell, The Times "Full of empathy and hope ... Kai's story is a must read for teens to explore how easily things can fall apart but also how we can heal." -- A. M. Dassu, author of Boy, Everywhere "A song of growing up, grief and the power of connection, When Shadows Fall is an illuminating and lyrical read" -- Polly Ho-Yen, author of Boy in the Tower "Beautifully told with real care, tenderness and heart" -- Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha and the Spirit BirdMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Little Tiger Press Group
Target group
Young adult
Interest Age: From 13 to 18 years
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 126 mm
Thickness: 24 mm
Weight
242 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78895-680-2 (9781788956802)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Sita Brahmachari
When Shadows Fall
Book
05/2022
Little Tiger
€31.13
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Persons
Natalie Sirett is an internationally exhibited, multimedia artist, interested in us, our icons, our stories. Her work has often explored issues of body image culture and the growing pains of adolescence. WHEN SHADOWS FALL is a project shared with Sita Brahmachari over many years and she is delighted that it has come to fruition. Natalie lives and works in London.