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And so a quest begins ... Starting at the bridge of their village and following the river north, the four friends soon find themselves on a journey that will change each of them ... forever. An urban legend about a beast in the valleys catches Jason's eye in the local paper. A wild cat is said to roam the forest, far up the river from their bridge. A reward is offered for proof of The Beast's existence. Jason's friends are desperate to help him, and they convince him that this is the answer to his and Richie's money problems. As always, Parr intertwines a particular history into her stories - in this case the 1970s with the terrible economic hardship of three day working weeks, strikes and power cuts… I was immediately transported to the world of my childhood.. Alongside the wonderful history, Parr sensitively and powerfully explores universal themes - frienship, family..grief.. I really liked this. Humorous and easy style, the characters are all distinct and identifiable. Setting it in the era of the miners' strike is actually very relevant now, in the midst of the 2023 strikes of teachers, nurses and rail workers. Talk of old money and cultural references will most likely fascinate readers, as will the names of people and places. eARC received from Bloomsbury Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This title released on the 16th March 2023.
Thirteen-year-old Jason and his older brother Richie have lived by themselves since their parents died. Richie is doing his best, but it’s 1974 and families have been hit hard by the power shortages and the three-day week. Fewer working hours means less money, and Jason discovers that his brother has fallen in with the wrong people to make ends meet. When Jason hears about the cash reward for a photograph of the big cat supposedly prowling the Valleys, up the river from their village, he and his friends make a plan. Find the cat, take a photo of it, claim the reward. His friends even agree they’ll give all the money to Jason and Richie. Parr has such a unique talent at effortlessly bringing characters and their demons to life. Jason is a thirteen-year-old oprhan, under the care of his older brother Richie, during the time of the miner's strikes and three-day work week, and even so young he feels the burden of responsibility to help out around the house and save money where he can. His fears, his hopes, his joy and sadness is beautifully rendered with elegant prose.
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The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children... Parr is so wonderful at creating wonderful children’s characters; and understanding their thoughts and fears and imagining their conversations and humour so beautifully. This a story which will make you laugh out loud as well as holding onto your hat as you rush around the welsh countryside. And a trademark Parr touch is the way she depicts both the antipathy and friendship between boys and girls.. Author Anna Kemp introduces The Hollow Hills, the sequel to her dark magical tale, Into Goblyn Wood. Where The River Takes Us is a beautiful and heartwarming story of friendship, family, and how we can always learn something else about one another as well as ourselves
Where the River Takes Us is a really unique piece of historical fiction for middle grade readers that I really enjoyed reading - the setting, characters and historical focus were different from anything I have read before and I really enjoyed learning about a time that not many middle grade authors write about. Anyone who likes historical fiction will enjoy Where The River Takes Us, although it is not just a piece of history, but more of an adventure, which explores friendship and grief. Jason has lost both parents and has not managed his grief at all and this adventure becomes the catalyst for him to finally deal with what has happened. I'd give this book six stars if there were six stars to give! When someone you love dies, you expect to cry. When two people you love die at the same time, you imagine you’d never stop.”
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One of my favourite films came to mind many times during the reading of this. That too was set in a bygone era, though still not all that long ago. Jason feels compelled to help his brother and so sets out to get the cash reward and help the household finances. But, of course, he doesn’t go alone. His best friends, Catrin, Tam and Jinx are all in on the plan. The children meet on the bridge and head out of Ponty, following the river towards Blaengarw. The trip is full of jeopardy and problems but also fun and laughter. There are bulls to avoid, sleeping bags and maps are lost but importantly, friendships are forged (over a crisp sandwich or two). Set in a tightknit Welsh community at the time of the miners’ strike in 1974, four children set off on a mad quest to be the first to spot and photograph a mysterious big cat that is said to be a large in a neighbouring valley. And so a quest begins. Four best friends soon find themselves on a journey that will change each of them … forever. PDF / EPUB File Name: Where_the_River_Takes_Us_-_Lesley_Parr.pdf, Where_the_River_Takes_Us_-_Lesley_Parr.epub
As a child of the 70s brought up in a Welsh valley I truly felt at home in the words of this book. The use of colloquial language felt authentic and added to the atmosphere and tone of the text. The characters felt like friends and families that I knew. Their values and morals felt real and understood. Richie can get himself out of trouble before it's too late and the brothers can stay together. And so a quest begins ... Starting at the bridge of their village and following the river north, the four friends soon find themselves on a journey that will change each of them ... Lesley Parr writes well and handles the issues of grief and loss realistically. The story does a good job of exploring the ongoing impact of tragedy from the perspective of a young teenager.Ever since his parents died, it's just been him and his older brother Richie. Richie is doing his best, but since he can't make ends meet he's been doing favours for the wrong people. Every day they fear they won't have enough and will have to be separated. The brotherly bond is palpable. The reader can ‘feel’ the desperation as each brother seeks to look after the other. Where The River Takes Us is perfect for ages ten years and over. In fact, it is a jolly good story whatever your age. There is adventure and deep-rooted friendship. I loved it. Jason lives with his big brother, Richie, trying their best to make ends meet so they can stay together. They've got supportive neighbours and some great friends, but there's always the threat that someone will think they can't manage on their own since their parents died. It's February 1974 and working-class families have been hit hard by the three-day week. The reduced power usage means less work, and less money to get by on. Richie is doing his best, but to make enough money, he's been doing favours for the wrong people.
Where The River Takes Us by Lesley Parr is a very engaging children’s novel set in the Welsh valleys in 1974. I adored the 70's feel and the British setting - the countryside spring in your step - the plights of the financial times - the close-knit connections of the friends and even bullies - and the British terminology that helped me create the image of the characters in my head. I always appreciate a book more, when I walk away learning even the slightest of things like 'mun' and 'cwtch' were words I never knew I needed in my vocabulary, but I appreciate the author including them, for it made the story even more authentic to the time and place it was portraying. 😄 It's February 1974 and working class families have been hit hard by the three-day week. The reduced power usage means less hours for people to work, and less money to get by on. Thirteen-year-old Jason feels the struggle keenly. Ever since his parents died, it's just been him and his older brother Richie. Richie is doing his best, but since he can't make ends meet he's been doing favours for the wrong people. Every day they fear they won't have enough and will have to be separated. Coffee house Caffè Nero has announced the 16-strong shortlist for the inaugural Nero Book Awards, recognising the outstanding books of the past 12... It's February 1974 and working class families have been hit hard by the three-day week. The reduced power usage means less hours for people to work, and less money to get by on.Jason has two good mates, Jinx and Tam, who he spends a lot of time with on weekends and holidays. He’s also friends with the girl next door, Catrin, as they have known each other since birth and are about the same age. Initially, Jason is dismissive of the news reports about a big cat in the area, but when he realises the opportunity to make some money, the idea of a camping trip with his friends seems like a good idea. Another fabulous adventure from Lesley Parr who takes us on a journey of friendship, family values and trust.
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