This jaw-dropping, heartbreaking and hopeful novel from debut author Katya Balen will remind you we are all made of stardust. For fans of thought-provoking, moving middle grade from Wonder to Skellig
Katya Balen is an award-winning author of books for children. Katya's debut novel, The Space We’re In, was published in 2019 and was highly commended for the Branford Boase Award. Her second, October, October, won the Yoto Carnegie Medal. Her third novel, The Light in Everything, was published in 2022. When she’s not writing books, Katya likes to scroll through dog-rescue websites, bake, and attempt to keep all her house plants alive. She lives in London with her partner and their dogs Raffi and Mouse. Laura Carlin is an illustrator and ceramicist based in London. She has won numerous awards for her children’s books, including a BolognaRagazzi Award and a V&A Book Illustration Award. Her favourite things to draw are dogs and sad people.
A tear-jerker about family that shows us things that are important
and true, and promotes compassion.
*Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the
Week*
The struggles of those with autism and those who love them in a
book with an achingly huggable main character
*Kirkus Reviews*
This sensitive, heartbreaking story boasts a wonderful narrative
voice and secret codes that add another layer of intrigue
*Guardian*
A brave and beautiful book with a big heart. I loved it.
*Jenny Downham*
This is a moving, absorbing novel about a pair of brothers - one is
autistic, one is not, and I came to love both of them
*Joanne Limburg, author of The Autistic Alice*
What Balen captures in Frank’s voice is the authentic experience of
being ten and facing up to all the difficulties that brings. His
story, and that of his family, will live long in the hearts and
minds of its readers
*A.F. Harrold*
Invigorating, enlightening and exciting are the only words that
describe the opening chapters of The Space We’re In, as 10-year-old
wild boy Frank and his (yep, you guessed it) autistic brother, Max,
prepare for their first day back to school
*James Sinclair, Autistic & Unapologetic*
A truly extraordinary book ... It packs a pretty powerful punch but
is a beautifully written and ultimately uplifting story with
stunning artwork. Warning: you will need tissues
*Angels and Urchins*
Laura Carlin's monochrome illustrations combine artistic skill with
a childlike element that complements the text
*Books for Keeps*
Stunningly beautiful, I cried and smiled my way through this book
in turns […] Katya Balen has captured the sense of wanting to be
grown up, but still being a child perfectly.
*North Somerset Teacher’s Book Awards Blog*
Now and then, and only now and then, a book changes us. The Space
We’re In does that. It’s ferocious and it’s visionary.
*Kevin Crossley-Holland*
A beautiful book
*Books of the Year, Books for Keeps*
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