The Secret of Haven Point

Product Information

The main character Alpha Lux (named after the Lux Flakes box she was found in), is feisty, curious and brave, but bites off more than she can chew. Her desire to remember her mother’s face drives Alpha headfirst into a plan she never knew existed, thrusting all she knows and loves into danger. I could mention several other excellent characters, but I do not want to spoil the fun for other readers. Just look out for the mermaids, not your cute Disney ones, so beware. This book delves into friendship, belonging, trust and inclusion. A must-have story for all bookshelves. A book for children to see themselves represented, find solace and understanding. For others, it will help build empathy and acceptance in a world that is full of magic, confusion and twists. I still haven’t told my gang about all of the stuff he said about us in the diary. That’s the sort of stuff that breaks people here. Not our bodies or brains, but the way outsiders think about them.” LA: Working with Emma Jones as my mentor on the WriteNow programme was absolutely nothing short of life changing. What I learned in such a short space of time about the technicalities of writing, editing, line editing, structure, character and pace was incredible, like a one-to-one masterclass. But it wasn’t just that, it was the confidence she instilled in me through her faith in my story and my writing. I finally believed it was possible. My story is incredibly northern with a cast of disabled characters, it’s not necessarily the most commercial sell going! But it was my heart song and Emma never asked me to water that down, but to dig deep and go for it even more. It wouldn’t exist the way it does now without her skill and kindness. When Puffin acquired The Secret of Haven Point I was so proud that she became my editor. A relationship I relish, and she’s still challenging me now – you should see the notes on my latest edit for book two!

Puffin started out as a non-fiction publisher, with its first title appearing in 1940. As the most iconic and well-known children’s book brand in the UK today, we are always on the lookout for innovative ways to tell the world’s favourite stories and for brilliant new debut talent and brands that connect with today’s young readers, from newborn up to twelve years old.

LA: I think it’s in my blood. My family are all based by the sea and always have been. My mum and dad moved to Darlington and I became a river lass. Next to water is where I feel most at peace. It’s silly, but I don’t think I realised that connection! It just is . The second book is river based, so it’s obviously a thing whether I like it or not… I will be more than happy to continue this series in the future, it was a lovely world to escape to! Many thanks to the author, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read Haven Point in advance of its publication. I’ll be anxious to read what Virginia Hume writes next.

Emma Jones, commissioning editor at Penguin Random House Children’s Books, acquired world rights to two books from Molly Ker Hawn at the Bent Agency. This is a debut novel about a family saga and a buried secret. While I mostly enjoyed this story I did find it fell flat a little in certain areas. The writing is good and I think the author shows promise. I listened to the audiobook version of this story and enjoyed the narrator, Cassandra Campbell, and her delivery of the story. I really wanted to like this book. It was such a great idea to have a cast of people with various disabilities who were so able and with the author using the best language to describe them. That aspect of the story was excellent. However, the actual plot just didn't work for me. At the start of the story I was really confused as to what was going on, and I couldn't understand the world which was being described. For the first half of the book, it was actually quite boring, as I struggled to get my head around the set up of this extremely strange place. There was a lot more action in the second half of the book, but there were still quite a lot of things that didn't make sense. I felt that throughout the book, I had some unanswered questions or some half-answered questions. I don't think I would recommend this to children, as it left me feeling quite troubled. There were so many rejected children, they survived by stealing and there is quite a lot of violence. There is an important character later in the book, but I felt I knew very little about her from the start of the book, so there were very few clues what her motives were in doing what she did. The style of the writing leaves the reader guessing quite a lot. When I read at the end that the author was a poet, that made sense. There was a poetic feel to the book, and I had noticed the many two-line sentences throughout. I would love to read more books about children with disabilities being the main characters in a book, but for me, this book made me feel quite unsettled and confused, and I'd be looking for a different book based on disabled children to read to my class.

Format

The novel centers around Maren, a farm girl from Minnesota who ends up working as a nurse at Walter Reed Medical Center during World War II. While there, she meets her future husband who is from a Boston family who spends their summers vacationing in the small coastal community of Haven Point.

I'm so glad this book exists!!!!! We follow a wonderful found family of disabled characters who live in a lighthouse and there's magic and mermaids, what else do you need??? I'm so glad that this book is out there to read for disabled kids but also non disabled kids to read about these characters and have this representation, it's so important! The author (who's disabled herself) starts the book of with an amazing author's note about language and representation surrounding disability 👏🏻 I loved the world this book builds and the glimpses of an inclusive space it gives the reader, the attention to detail for different accomodations. But this novel also does not sugarcoat living with disabilities in a ableist world as it makes clear why this secluded place was needed in the first place and the pain which goes hand in hand with the need of such a place. As the nation grapples with the ongoing conflict in Vietnam, Oliver and Maren are grappling with their fiercely independent seventeen-year-old daughter, Annie, who has fallen for a young man they don’t approve of. Before the summer is over a terrible tragedy will strike the Demarests––and in the aftermath, Annie vows never to return to Haven Point. Alpha, as the main protagonist, is unique and special. She appears, at first hand, to be a robust and decidedly feisty individual with traits and characteristics to match. But as she relates her real-life experiences, emotional problems and adventures, we see her softer, delicate side.This was such a great book. I loved the storyline, full of emotion, twists and unexpected happenings. Elle McNicoll, award-winning author of A Kind of Spark. A stunning literary adventure from an incredible debut talent, perfect for fans of Kiran Millwood Hargrave, Cerrie Burnell and Katherine Rundell. LF: I love the illustrations in The Secret of Haven Point! Tell us about working with three illustrators and the different elements they brought to the book.

For me, this family saga had it all -- wonderfully written characters, the timelines that told the family stories and the beautiful scenery in Maine. This is a debut novel for the author and I look forward to her future novels. The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children... The Primary School Library Alliance is calling on the government to match-fund the private investment it has brought into helping primary schools c... To me, Virginia Hume is right up there with Pat Conroy and William Kent Krueger. (two of my favorites). Out at Haven Point is a lighthouse. You might think this is nothing special, but this lighthouse is the home for 42 amazing children. All of these children have somehow found their way to this place that doesn’t appear on any maps. It is a haven for anyone who doesn’t fit in, with a disability of some kind.The Secret of Haven Point is the perfect addition to the well-being section of any bookshelf. I could not put it down. Unveiling disability; putting it in the spotlight, where it belongs, out in the open for all to admire its hidden beauty. It reminds me of Wonder and a quote springs to mind: 'Why blend in when you were born to stand out?' There was mystery, suspense, a full emotional spectrum, and a sense of characters trying to find a place of solidarity and a place to call home. I enjoyed reading the respective stories of Maren and Skye and feel that the author did a really great job of interweaving multiple decades and storylines to create a enthralling narrative that kept me engaged and wanting to know more.