Bone Music

By Author / Illustrator

David Almond

Genre

Environment

Age range(s)

14+

Publisher

Hachette Children's Group

ISBN

9781444952919

Format

Hardback

Published

01-04-2021

Synopsis

This wonderful tale transports the reader from the city to the forests and fells of Northern England. Under a boundless starry sky, the unforgettable Sylvia Carr reconnects with the ancient past and discovers what it really means to be young in the world today.

Sylvia, brave hearted and rebellious, moves into wild Northumberland from the city of Newcastle. She feels alien in this huge, silent, seemingly empty landscape, but then she meets Gabriel, a strange yet familiar boy. As they roam the forests and fells together, she sees nature with new eyes. She becomes aware that the past is all around her, and is deep inside herself. From the wing of a dead buzzard, they create a hollow bone - the kind of flute that was created and used in rituals in the distant past.

This is a book of hope and joy - a book that celebrates humanity and explores the deep connections between ourselves and nature. It is timely and original. It speaks to young people about what it really is to be a human being alive today.

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Reviews

Bone Music is the story of Sylvia who temporarily moves to Northumberland with her mum. At first, Sylvia struggles to adjust to the village in which her mum grew up after being used to the city surroundings of Newcastle. She hears a strange music being played at night and feels it is calling to her. The music is being played by Gabriel, a boy about her own age, who she seems to have a connection with, but he is troubled. They build a friendship based on the music played using a 'hollow bone', which seems to connect them to nature and the wilderness around them.

The book is beautifully written and contains an important message about the need to connect with the environment and nature, particularly when so many people spend a lot of time using technology in our modern world. Whilst the publisher recommends this book for ages 12 and up, personally I feel this will depend on the child. There are a number of sensitive topics mentioned within to be aware of including self-harm and suicide. There is also some mild swearing.

208 pages / Reviewed by Kristen Hopwood