Having adored Lisette’s debut, The Secret of Haven Point, I was so excited to read this book. In my humble opinion, it’s a future classic. The cast of characters is wonderfully diverse – there is queer, neurodivergent, disabled and chronic illness representation – and the story is everything I love in middle grade: it’s full of magic, adventure, and heart. Our main character, Mimi, uses beautifully decorated mobility aids to get around. I’m not ashamed to admit that I wept when I read the joyous description of Mimi’s crutches: often mobility aids are looked down upon, and not seen for what they are: a tool for freedom. I especially loved the author’s note at the end, which encapsulates the wonderfulness of disabled, chronically ill and ND people, just as they are. Jayben and the Golden Torch by Thomas Leeds Coffee house Caffè Nero has announced the 16-strong shortlist for the inaugural Nero Book Awards, recognising the outstanding books of the past 12... Although the book is for middle-grade readers, there are some difficult topics and themes woven into the narrative. Mimi is losing the mother figure in her life to dementia and going through a time of big changes, something that many readers will likely experience in their own lives. How did you go about communicating something so big and emotive in a way that made it digestible for a younger audience? Woven within the action and adventure are mysterious goings-on, suspense, and emotional angst. The tension is cleverly increased as the story progresses by the Crow's fleeting appearances. A neat subtle play that undoubtedly works on Mimi. Gives her the heebie-jeebies.

It’s sharing the intimacy of a story – that special moment between you and them”: Helping dads to get readingWe learn early in the book that the main character Mimi uses crutches, and I believe a majestic bumble bee design was mentioned. I have to ask, was this in any way inspired by your own snazzy collection of mobility aids?

Importantly, Auton doesn’t create an unrecognisable utopia of harmony. The new trio of friends get it wrong. They irritate and upset each other. They are inconsiderate and tactless. The exploration of how a neurodivergent person’s particular fixation can create selfishness is thoughtfully and expertly written. Mimi must learn how to be a good friend, and to meet the needs of those around her. I think it’s the way I would have wished to have been told. With love and kindness and care, but mostly honesty. Young people are ludicrously clever and can feel and know when something isn’t right and they’re not being told something. That happens to Mimi in this book. Life is hard and heart-breaking, but beautiful too. We need to be prepared for both. Nothing brought me quite as much joy as Fig’s vocabulary and dialect, and I’m totally adopting the word ‘soggle’ (a sob and a giggle) for everyday use. How did you go about creating these glorious words and phrases?

Retailers:

It's a nostalgic read but somehow very relevant to today and touches on themes with such remarkable sensitivity. This is the most heartachingly beautiful story of family, of friendship and of finding the courage to accept change, to treasure memories and to support those we love through loss. Below are three books I have read and adored this year that spotlight disabled characters with both visible and invisible conditions: Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend by Lizzie Huxley-Jones It’s good for children to see a man reading stories. Just go for it because it’s so much fun – your child’s not going to be judgmental"

I loved both the fantastical elements in this story and the contemporary ones and thought they blended beautifully to show the confusion, fear, pain and desperation inherent in coping with a loved one’s illness, but also the hope and joy in memories of past times, in learning to accept change and in being there to offer love and support and a sense of belonging. Doing voices and getting into character: Nathan and Lewis share their magical experiences of sharing stories with their babies The story becomes gorgeously fantastical and incredible, but at its heart everyone can recognise Mimi’s story. It’s about the terrifying teetering on the precipice of adult realisations about the world and its injustices, and the longing for an uncomplicated past of childhood freedoms and joyful naivety. Auton has a rare talent for exploring an incorporating lesser talked about themes but in a beautifully seamless way, allowing adventure and mysticism to lead the narrative.Mimi’s childish logic is heart-breaking and truly believable, and Auton sensitively explores the grief and confusion of a child facing the loss of those she holds most dear Mimi is a girl who never let her disability get in the way of doing what she wanted. Never played on her weakness and used it as a strength, not a handicap. What I like about Mimi is that playtime meant Play Time, using every minute to the full, taking advantage of every second available. Louie on the magic of shared reading: 'You just see the positive outcome. Your connection to your child is so different' Even though This is primarily aimed at children, I enjoyed the humour within the story. Some funny moments even made me laugh out loud. Grandad and his bacon antics spring instantly to mind. Even Mimi laughs at herself on several occasions, which is an upbeat message for readers.