Inspired by a true story, a beautiful novel-in-verse about a child far from home. From award-winning poet Liz Berry. *WINNER OF THE WRITERS' PRIZE - BOOK OF THE YEAR*
*WINNER OF THE WRITERS' PRIZE FOR POETRY*
'A
profound act of witness to a long injustice, and a
beautifully crafted conjuring of a life lived as truly as possible'
Guardian 'Book of the Day''Ground-breaking' Benjamin Zephaniah
'Exquisite' Hannah Lowe, author of
The Kids 'Home's not a place, you must believe this, but one who names you and means beloved.' In 1908, Eliza Showell, twelve years old and newly orphaned, boards a ship that will carry her from the slums of the Black Country to rural Nova Scotia. She will never return to Britain or see her family again. She is a Home Child, one of thousands of British children sent to Canada to work as indentured farm labourers and domestic servants.
In Nova Scotia, Eliza's world becomes a place where ordinary things are transfigured into treasures - a red ribbon, the feel of a foal's mane, the sound of her name on someone else's lips. With nothing to call her own, the wild beauty of Cape Breton is the only solace Eliza has - until another Home Child, a boy, comes to the farm and changes everything.
Inspired by the true story of Liz Berry's great aunt, this spellbinding novel in verse is an exquisite portrait of a girl far from home.
'
Vivid, compassionate and makes Eliza Showell's voice
heard at last'
Financial Times *Best Poetry Books of summer 2023* 'A
haunting, deeply compelling narrative
' Andrew McMillan, author of
physical 'Only Liz Berry could write such
raw and staggeringly beautiful poems
' Fiona Benson, author of
Vertigo & Ghost