Published By: Firefly
Pages: 192
Released On: 09/07/2026
Reading Age: 9-12
Dad has moved out, and Ani is struggling to accept his absence. So her mysterious neighbour, Nando, and his secret nocturnal trips provide a welcome distraction.
When Ani follows Nando in the dead of night, she doesn’t expect to come face-to-face with the wild fox he has befriended. During each night-time visit they learn a little more about the fox, and each other. But when the fox goes missing they fear the worst.
Can they save her and her cubs?
*****
Thanks to NetGalley and Firefly for the gifted copy of this title in return for an honest review.
I know I’m 3x the reading age, but this one looked and sounded so sweet and uplifting and I needed that after a series of difficult and serious reads.
It’s written in lyrical free verse. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book in lyrical verse, unless it included poetry, and I wasn’t sure how I’d find it. But I really liked it. There was something quite magical about it. And for a book with quite serious subjects, it helps soften it a bit and makes it more accessible for younger readers.
Laura hasn’t shielded younger readers from the reality of growing up – relationship breakdowns, divorce, blended families, puberty – but also about the joy of friendship, love, family, and nature.
I did find the main characters a little annoying but I think it’s because they’re children and I’m not, and so when they think the smallest thing is the end of the world, as an older reader that can feel quite annoying but I know that’s a personal thing.
I think the age range is good but I would say slightly older than 9, because while it’s quite simply written, there are some complex topics and emotions I’m not sure younger readers will understand – but maybe I’m doing them a disservice. It’s a pleasant and comforting book for adults to read and I think I got more out of it than a child would because I can see it from a different perspective.
The speech is absorbed into the prose so there’s no separate lines for dialogue or speech marks, which is a style of writing I really don’t like. I couldn’t say I liked it in this, but it wasn’t quite as jarring as it could have been, and I think that’s because of the lyrical verse.
I read it in one sitting; it’s a very beautiful and poignant book.
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