Hodder Literature: Heaven Eyes - Hardcover

Almond, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0340913193 ISBN 13: 9780340913192

Publisher: Hodder Education, 2005

Synopsis

Hodder Literature: a new and exciting series of literature titles for Key Stage 3 whole class use.
Heaven Eyes tells the story of three orphans, Erin, January and Mouse who decide to run away from their orphanage. They escape on a raft and drift down the nearby river. Soon they run aground on a marshy area known as the Black Middens and are 'rescued' by Heaven Eyes, a strange girl who lives in a deserted factory with her Grampa. Heaven Eyes is very taken by her new 'brothers and sisters' but Grampa is a great deal more hostile and suspicious. Soon, secrets begin to be unearthed. Who is Heaven Eyes? And whose is the body that Mouse digs up in the Black Middens?
A truly haunting story combining magic realism with completely believeable relationships.

About this title

Review:

"We come into the world out of the dark. We haven't a clue where we come from. We've no idea where we are going. But while we're here in the world, if we're brave enough, we¹ll flap our wings and fly".

David Almond's first book for children--Skellig--won the 1998 Whitbread Children's Book of the Year and the Carnegie Medal, and was shortlisted for the Guardian Award. His second novel, Kit's Wilderness was published to widespread critical acclaim and it seemed that he had created a pretty tough act to follow. However, follow it he did, and this exceptional writer has produced another original, thought- provoking and awe-inspiring book with Heaven Eyes.

Heaven Eyes tells the story of a group of youngsters embroiled in a system which takes as much care as it can of the lost souls of children who, for whatever reason, cannot be with their parents, but falls short of giving the love and warmth they really need in order to grow and prosper. Erin is one such child, and along with her friends January Carr and Mouse Gullane she decides to run away from her care home, embarking on an adventure which not only pushes their ability to survive to the limits, but also introduces them to the dark and lonely world of Heaven Eyes, a young girl who has grown up in the care of an old man who found her abandoned as a child, hidden away from the world, but constantly seeking some kind of salvation in the form of other human contact.

The tale is at times incredibly bleak, and the despair the children feel in the lonely world they encounter is tangible. But, in true Almond style, there is light amid the darkness, and as the relationships between the children develop, so too does a warmth and understanding that leaves the reader with the certain knowledge that behind every shadow there is hope.

Heaven Eyes is an outstanding novel from an outstanding author, which cleverly balances the passion and delicacy which is fuelled by the impeccably drawn characters, each of them battling with their own will to survive in a world which may never fully understand them, but each of them realising that there is, after all, a reason to live. Be prepared to cry--only the hardest of hearts could fail to be touched by this stunning novel. (Age 11 and over)--Susan Harrison

Review:

"Almond's fans will willingly follow him on yet another journey into a surreal, murkey world that may be dream or reality." - Kirkus Reviews "From the Hardcover edition."

About this edition

• Publisher: Hodder Education
• Publication date: 2005
• ISBN 10: 0340913193
• ISBN 13: 9780340913192
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 224