October, October

I like that this book doesn't tie everything up into happy endings, which is quite unusual for a book for this age group (8-10?) Its poetic style is a real strength - the language is beautiful, and the love of nature and woodland shines out through. I like the way the relationship between October and her mother develops gradually, and the way she blames herself is very real. So many girls I teach like adventure and mystery books, so this is a great chance to experience a different genre that is emotionally satisfying in a different way.

fastreader4

A wonderful book about a different type of childhood and the challenges faced when that is taken away.

jmcdonald

This was a beautiful story about finding the positives in a bad situation. It felt quite poetic with how the words were written across the page. Would be good for someone looking for a new hobby or someone who enjoys history.

Rebecca Elizabeth Reeves

A lovely book told in the first person. A story of finding yourself, testing your boundaries and discovering who you are and what it means to be wild. October discovers the world beyond her woods after an accident which shakes and turns her whole life upside down.

LAckland89

Another fabulous book; sensitive, heartfelt, moving. Katya Balen is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors for children's book

ClareH

I read this book after numerous recommendations and it didn't disappoint. I fell in love with the character of October as she navigated her new life from living wild and free in the woods with her father to living in the loud and brash city with her mother. I particularly enjoyed her blossoming friendship with Yusef and how he helped her to find her way and in turn build a relationship with her mother.

Miss DB

This book succeeded with transporting in reader into the shoes of the main character, and allowing the reader to experience that perspective. October is literally wild and her emotions and feelings are raw and continually evolving metaphorically alongside so many detailed nuances, such a beautiful book.

Lisa_Reads_89

I loved this story. A perfect book for 9-11 year olds. I adored the characters and how well Balen wrote October's perspective on the events after her eleventh birthday. I want to be wild too.

D0h3rty!

A beautiful book that shows the power of reconciliation within a family when two opposite world’s collide. When October’s dad, who lives in the wild, and has raised October solely in nature is hospitalised she has to live with her mum who she has never really met. October begins to find her own way in both worlds and loves a combination of both the city and the woods!

sean23_e

This is a fantastic book. I absolutely loved being in the woods with October and her Dad, being wild and free. October and her father enjoy the simple things in life and appreciate the natural world around them. Unfortunately that all has to change when October is forced back to the city to live with her mother. This is such a beautiful story of how a child has to learn and adapt to a new setting and how she overcomes her fears.

AEGRead

A moving story to read with family, we laughed and cried together as we followed October’s journey growing up wild.

Gracie

October loves her wild life, living in the woods with her father, in tune with the natural world. When events force her to live with her mother in the city, October is distraught. This wonderful story deals with the struggles of finding joy wherever you are and realising that happiness can exist in two places at once.

DMRueth

Sometimes, when everyone talks about how wonderful a book is, it makes me dig my heels in a bit and resist the peer pressure. In this case, I should have just listened. It took me a little while to get into, but it was so worthwhile. I loved the insights into October’s thinking, both about the woods and their life there and then about all the things that change. Her flights of fancy didn’t seem to make sense at first, but imperceptibly they seemed to become a normal part of her narration. Yusuf is a wonderful character and I loved the whole different dimension their interactions bring. There is so much more I could comment on, but I don’t want to spoil it: and it’s the kind of story where describing what ‘happens’ is only a fraction of what makes this such a lovely book.

goody_goods

Another beautiful book exploring different types of family. As ever, Katya Balen describes nature and the wild with poetic beauty. An important read for Upper KS2.

GeorginaAllen

Beautifully written story.

Seph44

A beautiful book, with writing that sings! I loved it.

Clairlou972

A little slow to get started but the wilderness details and main characters struggle to fit in in a new town environment was interesting. Loved the way the type was presented sometimes more like a poem etc to help present the struggles etc.

Hsouter

I loved the powerful insight into the world of a little girl who feels so alone and the challenges she faces when she has to go live with her estranged mother. Beautifully written.

MelBr

A beautifully written novel that created so many different images in my mind. I loved the wildness of October and her vivid imagination and her ability to draw you into her world. It made me long to let the wildness in me break free!

Sue Latter

This took me a little while to get into but I am so glad I persevered. What a wonderful uplifting story about finding your place in the world and writing your own story. October lives in the woods with her Dad and they are wild. Then an accident changes everything and October has to face massive changes in her world and find a way of meshing her old life with her new one, finding her true self along the way. Beautifully written, Katya Balen brings the characters to life with great empathy and understanding of their own perspectives. A great story that you will always remember reading.

DawnBatchelor