Two very different lives. One shared hope for a brighter future. No time to waste. The flood is coming…
Eleven-year-old Norah Day lives in temporary accommodation, relies on foodbanks for dinner, and doesn’t have a mum. But she’s happy enough, as she has a dad, a pet mouse, a pet spider, and a whole zoo of rescued local wildlife to care for.
Eleven-year-old Adam Sinclair lives with his parents in a nice house with a big garden, a private tutor, and everything he could ever want. But his life isn’t perfect – far from it. He’s recovering from leukaemia and is questioning his dream of becoming a champion swimmer.
When a nest of baby birds brings them together, Norah and Adam discover they’re not so different after all. Can Norah help Adam find his confidence again? Can Adam help Norah solve the mystery of her missing mother? And can their teamwork save their zoo of rescued animals from the rising flood?
Offering powerful lessons in empathy, Norah’s Ark is a hopeful and uplifting middle-grade tale for our times about friendship and finding a sense of home in the face of adversity.
Victoria Williamson is an award-winning author who grew up in Scotland surrounded by hills, books, and an historical farm estate which inspired many of her early adventure stories and spooky tales. After studying Physics at the University of Glasgow, she set out on her own real-life adventures, which included teaching maths and science in Cameroon, training teachers in Malawi, teaching English in China and working with children with additional support needs in the UK. Victoria currently works part time writing KS2 books for the education company Twinkl and spends the rest of her time writing novels, and visiting schools, libraries and literary festivals to give author talks and run creative writing workshops.
Victoria’s previous novels include The Fox Girl and the White Gazelle, The Boy with the Butterfly Mind, Hag Storm, and War of the Wind. She has won the Bolton Children’s Fiction Award 2020/2021, The YA-aldi Glasgow Secondary School Libraries Book Award 2023, and has been shortlisted for the Week Junior Book Awards 2023, The Leeds Book Awards 2023, the Red Book Award 2023, the James Reckitt Hull Book Awards 2021, The Trinity School Book Awards 2021, and longlisted for the ABA South Coast Book Awards 2023, the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2020, and the Branford Boase Award 2019.
Her latest novel, The Pawnshop of Stolen Dreams, is a middle grade fantasy inspired by classic folklore. Twenty percent of the author royalties for this book are donated to CharChar Literacy, an organisation working to improve children’s literacy levels in Malawi.You can find out more about Victoria’s books, school visits and free resources for schools on her website: www.strangelymagical.com
My thoughts: this was a sweet and somewhat heartbreaking book about friendship, what constitutes a home and family. Norah and her dad are struggling to survive, he’s out of work, they’re bounced between hostels and B&Bs and can’t afford much in the way of food.
Norah is a wonderful creation, fierce and funny, determined and brave. She’s got so much heart too, loving all the stray and wild animals she meets. Cycling round and round the park while her dad is at the job centre or library, trying to find work. Theirs is a hardscrabble existence at the fringes of society, and sadly an increasingly common one.
Adam comes from a lot more privilege, a safe and loving home, two parents, and his mum doesn’t have to work. He has however, recently been declared in remission from leukaemia, and is struggling to move on. His mum is terrified he’ll get sick again and her anxiety is having an impact on her marriage and Adam. His dad wants to get back to school, swimming and seeing friends but it’s an uphill struggle.
When Adam and Norah meet and bond over their love for animals, both finally have a friend, but it isn’t easy. Gradually however, they build their friendship and their parents come round. But who is the lady who keeps talking to Norah’s dad? Is she from the dreaded social services or is she connected to the mystery of Norah’s mum?
While there are some very sad moments and Norah especially tugs at the heart strings, this is a redemptive and joyful book at heart. Friendship, family, safety and finding a home all provide the warmth and Norah’s sunny nature wins through. Perfect for younger readers who enjoy uplifting stories and are interested in the world and the environment.
*I was kindly gifted a copy of this book in exchange for taking part in the blog tour but all opinions remain my own.
ramblingmads 
I like the way it deals with difficult issues but leaves the reader with hope.
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