The Space We're In: from the winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2022
Katya Balen, Laura Carlin
Subjects
- Friends & Family - tears and laughter, and happy ever after
We are her world and her universe and her space and her stars and her sky and her galaxy and her cosmos too Frank is ten. He likes cottage pie and football and cracking codes. Max is five. He eats only Quavers and some colours are too bright for him and if he has to wear a new T-shirt he melts down down down. Sometimes Frank wishes Mum could still do huge paintings of stars and asteroids like she used to, but since Max was born she just doesn’t have time. When tragedy hits Frank and Max’s lives like a comet, can Frank piece together a universe in which he and Max aren’t light years apart? 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
Reviews
Initially, I was unsure about reading this book. I had started October, October some time ago but had given up quite early on because I found it annoying. I’m glad that I picked this up in the Library and decided to actually read it - despite the fact that my daughter borrowed it and told me what happened. I liked the honesty of the writing. I liked the characterisation. I found the mother’s illness quite difficult to read. I would like to buy this for the school Library. ✨
MairiG
Initially, I was unsure about reading this book. I had started October, October some time ago but had given up quite early on because I just found it annoying. I’m glad that I picked this up in the Library and actually read it - even though my daughter ‘borrowed’ it and told me what happened before I was a third of the way through the book. I loved the characterisation. I found the mother’s illness quite difficult to read. I would like to buy this for the school Library. ✨
MairiG
Initially, I was unsure about reading this book. I had started October, October some time ago but had given up quite early on because I just found it annoying. I’m glad that I picked this up in the Library. I liked the character of Frank. I found the mother’s illness quite difficult to read. I would like to buy this for the school Library. ✨
MairiG
Exceptional, raw, heart-wrenching story that explores neurodiversity and the loss of a parent. Really beautifully written, shows all sides to the story and made me laugh and cry. I think this is a great boom for Year 6+
GeorginaAllen
I really wasn't sure about this when I started reading. The writing style was very different and although I had read 'October, October' (which I absolutely loved), this book was of another ilk entirely. That said, it didn't take me long to tune in and once I did, I was completely hooked. I binge read from about a quarter of the way in to the end and I went through the whole gamut of emotions. This book is extraordinary in so many ways and the more I sit and think about it, the more I get from it, even though I've finished reading!
BookNerd
You need your tissues for this one. It tells the story of a young y6 lad whose year starts badly and goes from worst to worst. But during that year he learns to love and value his autistic brother.
Jo Tregenza
Told through the eyes of Frank, a 10 year old boy about to move to Year 6, dealing with the usual kind of stuff for kids that age, plus trying to find his place in a family now largely dominated by Max, his younger brother.Max has autism, and at times Frank finds himself resenting the amount of over to Max, along with the meltdowns and other quirks that make his brother who he is. Then Franks’s world falls apart. A lot of patience, love and support helps him rebuild it, and strengthens his bond with his brother, as they both navigate their way through their new reality. Absolutely superb book, taking autism, bereavement, bullying and growing up in its stride.
MXM001
Can't write about this one yet - I was so emotionally buffeted. The characters are amazing...sorry I will come back and review.
sarah.w
This story of two brothers and how they become closer is really moving as you are caught up in the view points of the different members of the family. The younger brother has ASD and his struggles to communicate and interact with the world is sympathetically written and helps you as the reader to see the world in a different way.
jessicafelton
I was completely immersed into this family and this story from page 1. I thought I might have to stop reading because my heart was breaking but I carried on and the ending was beautiful. Helped by amazingly gorgeous illustrations by Laura Carlin. I like Frank, the main character, best. I think he expressed his feelings so well.
Ruthellenclark
So well written from the point of view of a child whose life is heartbreaking. Have tissues handy
Sleepycat
Laura delves into a difficult topic but has written this novel beautifully. Frank, who is 10, has a 5 year old brother, Max, who is severely autistic. This contemporary novel is written from the viewpoint of Frank. Laura Carlin explores the difficulties/ struggles, highs and lows a family with with an disabled child/ brother goes though. This stunning and heartfelt book definitely pulled on my heartstrings.
jrmoss
I found this a very powerful book, which beautifully and honestly conveyed the thoughts and feelings of an 11 year old boy as he comes to terms with life with a severely autistic sibling. The themes of loss and bereavement are also significant so this is certainly a 'handle with care' book for children but an excellent read for the right reader.
MrsS@Marcham