Birdsong

Written by Katya Balen and Richard Johnson

Narrated by Eleanor Yates

Following a traumatic accident, a special friendship helps talented musician Annie heal and rediscover her love of music in this stunning novella from celebrated author Katya Balen.

The blackbirds’ song uplifts and restores in this captivating novella from one of the most exciting voices in children’s fiction.

After a devastating car crash, Annie is unable to play her flute and retreats from the music she’s always loved.

She exists in a world of angry silence – furious with her mum and furious she can’t seem to play her beloved flute any more.

Then she meets Noah, who shows her the blackbirds’ nest hidden in the scrubland near their flats. As their friendship grows, the blackbirds’ glorious song reignites Annie’s passion for music. But when tragedy strikes again, will her fragile progress be put at risk?

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
• Release date: May 30, 2023
• ISBN: 9781800903159

Katya Balen

Katya Balen is an award-winning author of books for children. Her debut novel, The Space We're In, was highly commended for the Branford Boase Award, October, October won the Yoto Carnegie Medal and the UKLA Book Award, and The Light in Everything was shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal. When she's not writing books, Katya likes to scroll through dog-rescue websites, bake and attempt to keep her house plants alive. She lives in London with her partner and their dog.