And so a quest begins. Four best friends soon find themselves on a journey that will change each of them … forever. Jason has two good mates, Jinx and Tam, who he spends a lot of time with on weekends and holidays. He’s also friends with the girl next door, Catrin, as they have known each other since birth and are about the same age. Initially, Jason is dismissive of the news reports about a big cat in the area, but when he realises the opportunity to make some money, the idea of a camping trip with his friends seems like a good idea.

Richie can get himself out of trouble before it's too late and the brothers can stay together. And so a quest begins ... Starting at the bridge of their village and following the river north, the four friends soon find themselves on a journey that will change each of them ... As always, Parr intertwines a particular history into her stories - in this case the 1970s with the terrible economic hardship of three day working weeks, strikes and power cuts… I was immediately transported to the world of my childhood.. Alongside the wonderful history, Parr sensitively and powerfully explores universal themes - frienship, family..grief.. There is a candor to the boys' friendship that I adored, because how they would get awkward about being soft and sentimental, even though they cared, they just didn't know how to express their feelings. After Jason confronted Tam and asked him why he never asked about his parents and Tam's own eyes welled up with tears as he admitted that he was always too afraid to ask, because he never knew what to say that would be right and not hurtful - when Jinx refused to head home without completing their mission, hurting that if they didn't win the money, Jason would leave and he would lose his best friends. 😢😢 these are just two moments, but how the writer captures those moments to show the depth of their friendship. And it's not only the boys - Catrin is as fierce and fearsome as they come - a girl, who can stand up to the best of them and honestly, the most understanding and caring childhood friend, Jason could ever hope for. 🫂🫂 And so a quest begins … Starting at the bridge of their village and following the river north, the four friends soon find themselves on a journey that will change each of them … forever. Ever since his parents died, it's just been him and his older brother Richie. Richie is doing his best, but since he can't make ends meet he's been doing favours for the wrong people. Every day they fear they won't have enough and will have to be separated.So, if you're looking for a brilliant written, down-to-earth novel that's more about brotherhood (with a brilliant female friend too) than finding a beast, this is definitely one to add to your to-be-read pile. With a dramatic and heart-racing end, will Jason be separated from his brother and his friends? I felt so sad for Richie - a boy who had to become an adult before his time, a boy not yet a man, who just wanted to prove to his younger brother that he was enough to take care of him, but somehow, made life worse than it was. 💔💔 Their hugs and tears touched my heart so much, and it hurt to see how much grief they were carrying on their own - not wanting to be a burden to the other, and yet, in the end, realizing all they had left was each other. And they couldn't bear the thought of losing the other - the fear of foster care, ever so present for their situation. 😟😟 Parr is so wonderful at creating wonderful children’s characters; and understanding their thoughts and fears and imagining their conversations and humour so beautifully. This a story which will make you laugh out loud as well as holding onto your hat as you rush around the welsh countryside. And a trademark Parr touch is the way she depicts both the antipathy and friendship between boys and girls.. An urban legend about a beast in the valleys catches Jason's eye in the local paper. A wild cat is said to roam the forest, far up the river from their bridge. A reward is offered for proof of The Beast's existence. Jason's friends are desperate to help him, and they convince him that this is the answer to his and Richie's money problems. eARC received from Bloomsbury Children's Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This title released on the 16th March 2023.

Lesley Parr writes well and handles the issues of grief and loss realistically. The story does a good job of exploring the ongoing impact of tragedy from the perspective of a young teenager. PDF / EPUB File Name: Where_the_River_Takes_Us_-_Lesley_Parr.pdf, Where_the_River_Takes_Us_-_Lesley_Parr.epub I really liked this. Humorous and easy style, the characters are all distinct and identifiable. Setting it in the era of the miners' strike is actually very relevant now, in the midst of the 2023 strikes of teachers, nurses and rail workers. Talk of old money and cultural references will most likely fascinate readers, as will the names of people and places. Mae Jason, sy’n dair ar ddeg oed, a’i frawd hŷn Richie wedi byw ar eu pennau eu hunain ers i’w rhieni farw. Mae hi’n 1974 ac mae prinder pŵer ac wythnos tri diwrnod wedi bod yn ergyd drom i deuluoedd. Roedd llai o oriau gweithio’n golygu llai o arian, ac mae Jason yn darganfod bod ei frawd wedi mynd i gwmni pobl ddrwg i gael deupen llinyn ynghyd. One thing that helps distract Jason is the urban legend about a beast in the valleys. A wild cat that roams the forest, far up the river from their bridge. When Jason's friends learn of a reward for proof of The Beast’s existence, they convince Jason this is the answer to his and Richie’s money problems. Richie can get himself out of trouble before it’s too late and the brothers can stay together.

Our Favourite Websites:

Award-winning Lesley Parr’s gripping adventure story is made luminous by the exploration and celebration of friendship that underpins it. The winners of the Diverse Book Awards 2023 have been announced, with one winner from each of the four categories announced: Picture book, Children... Much like Stand By Me, we have different characters in the group, including a girl, as well as rival kids also on the trail of fame and fortune. There is bonding, danger, no leeches thank goodness, and a post-quest sequence where we see Jason and his 19-year-old brother have to overcome poor decisions to find resolution and balance again. Just wonderful, an absolutely wonder of a read, that was laced with honest emotions and believable friendships, I truly enjoyed reading this. Truly. Jason was grieving, Jason was surviving, Jason was wanting. Wanting to make his brother happy, wanting to spend time with his friends, wanting a chance to find a positive way out of the hurt and sadness he felt after his parents' death. This book did not only show so very realistically how a child grieves after losing not one, but two of their parents, but the way people then behave around them. 🤍🤍🤍 It just tugs at your heart strings, leaving you with an ache that can only be soothed, when with such kindness and grace, Lesley Parr resolves all the troubles - reminding us that hope is never lost - it just has to be found again. And on a brave adventure of self-worth down the river, Jason learned to accept his grief and the courage to move on. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

Set in a tightknit Welsh community at the time of the miners’ strike in 1974, four children set off on a mad quest to be the first to spot and photograph a mysterious big cat that is said to be a large in a neighbouring valley.Where The River Takes Us is perfect for ages ten years and over. In fact, it is a jolly good story whatever your age. There is adventure and deep-rooted friendship. I loved it.