<p><span>Tom is still quiet and timid, even though his dad has been in jail for nearly two years now.<br><br> Zofia is the opposite. Inside her there's a raging storm that makes her want to fight the whole world until she gets what she wants.<br><br> And what she wants is for scaredy-cat Tom to get out of her life. Tom hates loud, unpredictable Zofia just as much, but he's moving into Zofia's house. Because his mum and Zofia's dad are in love . and they're having a baby.<br><br> Tom and Zofia both wish the stupid baby had never happened. But then Tom's mum gets ill, and it begins to look horribly like their wish might come true .<br><br> A story of learning to trust, trying to let go and diving into the unknown with hope in your heart.</span></p>
<div class="a-row a-expander-container a-expander-extend-container"> <h3><span>Review</span></h3> <div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span>Katya Balen's </span><span class="a-text-italic">October, October </span><span>is a very special new addition to the shelf and deserves classic status ― </span><span class="a-text-italic">Times Children's Book of the Week</span><span><br><br>Quite simply one of the most beautiful books I've ever read ― </span><span class="a-text-italic">Kiran Millwood Hargrave on OCTOBER, OCTOBER</span><span><br><br></span><span class="a-text-italic">October, October</span><span> is fierce with a wild love. It draws you in to its heart, shakes you with a fury, wraps you in a spell of storytelling. In lyrical prose, Katya Balen gives us a modern day heroine filled with courage. I loved every page. ― </span><span class="a-text-italic">Jackie Morris</span><span><br><br>Wise and bright - I loved it. ― </span><span class="a-text-italic">Hilary McKay on OCTOBER, OCTOBER</span><span><br><br>One of the most beautiful children's books I've ever read ― </span><span class="a-text-italic">Natasha Farrant on October, October</span><span><br><br>I've also just been introduced to the first two stunning children's books by Katya Balen, both published by Bloomsbury: </span><span class="a-text-italic">The Space We're In</span><span> and </span><span class="a-text-italic">October, October</span><span>. If you have a middle-grader, or know one, or are one ... treat yourself -- Daniel Hahn ― </span><span class="a-text-italic">Books of the Year, The Spectator</span><span><br><br>A tear-jerker about family that shows us things that are important and true, and promotes compassion -- Nicolette Jones ― </span><span class="a-text-italic">The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week</span><span><br><br>This sensitive, heartbreaking story boasts a wonderful narrative voice and secret codes that add another layer of intrigue ― </span><span class="a-text-italic">Guardian on THE SPACE WE'RE IN</span><span><br><br>Now and then, and only now and then, a book changes us. </span><span class="a-text-italic">The Space We're In</span><span> does that. It's ferocious and it's visionary. ― </span><span class="a-text-italic">Kevin Crossley-Holland</span> </div> <h3><span>Book Description</span></h3> <div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span>From the author of </span><span class="a-text-italic">OCTOBER, OCTOBER</span><span> comes a life-affirming story about blended families, learning to trust and diving into life with your heart open wide</span> </div> <div data-expanded="true" class="a-expander-content a-expander-extend-content a-expander-content-expanded" style="overflow: hidden;"> <h3><span>About the Author</span></h3> <div class="a-section a-spacing-small a-padding-small"> <span class="a-text-bold">Katya Balen</span><span> is an award-winning author of books for children. Her debut novel, </span><span class="a-text-italic">The Space We're In</span><span>, was highly commended for the Branford Boase Award, </span><span class="a-text-italic">October, October </span><span>won the Yoto Carnegie Medal and the UKLA Book Award, and </span><span class="a-text-italic">The Light in Everything</span><span> 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.</span> </div> </div> <div class="a-row"> <a data-csa-c-func-deps="aui-da-a-expander-toggle" data-csa-c-type="widget" data-csa-interaction-events="click" aria-expanded="true" role="button" href="javascript:void(0)" data-action="a-expander-toggle" class="a-expander-header a-declarative a-expander-extend-header" data-a-expander-toggle="{"allowLinkDefault":true, "expand_prompt":"Read more", "collapse_prompt":""}" data-csa-c-id="vhikzo-ssjmau-sue290-vugh7f"><i class="a-icon a-icon-extender-collapse"></i><span class="a-expander-prompt"></span></a> </div> </div>
