Storm Child

Maya's life is about to capsize. After her dad's fishing boat is ravaged by a relentless storm, her parents make the decision to start over-by moving to a tropical island.

Far from her friends and her beloved clifftop home, Maya embarks on an adventure that promises sunshine, surf and fresh beginnings. But as she makes friends with local islander Kalani, Maya soon realises that paradise is not always what it seems…

Swept away by a storm much larger than herself, can Maya bring her family back home again?

(Synopsis taken from book)

Ele Fountain has done it again with another compelling, absorbing read which challenges the reader to reflect on many things.

Maya loves the thrill of surfing. As a Penrose, she has salt water running through her veins, living where her family have always done, on the cliffs over the bay bearing her family’s name. They have been struggling and when her father’s boat is destroyed by a storm, Maya’s parents decide to move to the other side of the world, leaving her feeling out of control.

Beautiful though her new home is, Maya is plagued by loneliness and waves of homesickness. And when she meets Kalani, her awareness of the fragility of nature grows and she is forced to reflect on the consequences of decisions, whether made on a personal, on a family, on a community or even a global basis, and the importance of staying true to who you are and what you believe in. The story beautifully weaves together themes of friendship, environmental issues, being a ‘global citizen’ and of being yourself.

With wonderful descriptions throughout the story, the sea- its sights, sounds, dangers and healing- is a constant presence. Although Maya and her family have moved to paradise, events of part two cleverly echo those of part one, showing the grass isn’t always greener on the other side and that it is important to follow your heart.

I have never yet read a book by Ele Fountain that I haven’t really enjoyed, but there is something very special about this one. Highly recommended!

Storm Child

Ele Fountain

Pushkin ISBN: 978-1782693888

Published July 2024

You can read my review of ‘Wild’ here.

Wild

After the death of his father, Jack struggles to cope. He resents how busy his mother is at work, keenly feeling the loss of the person who he believes knew him the best. Everything has changed and Jack finds himself under the influence of a new group of ‘friends’ who lead him to do things which he knows are wrong and everything starts to spiral out of control. When his mother suggests that he join her on a trip to the rainforest, Jack agrees. He finds himself launched into a completely different world where it seems his mother has another life with friends-like-family that Jack knew nothing about and a passion for saving the rainforest from loggers who are encroaching on the indigenous people’s land. As they travel through the unfamiliar and unpredictable rainforest, Jack begins to find himself once more…

Ele Fountain is an incredible author whose writing truly transports the reader to the world of her books, immersing them in the life of her characters. In ‘Wild’, she presents Jack, whose raw grief can be felt in his every action whilst he himself is trying to quash his emotions and escape the reality of life without his father. His sense of isolation from his mother and his resentment of her for not being his father- the person he made plans with, the one who he talked with all the time- is palpable as he tries to close himself off from her. The one thing that he still feels a passion for- street art- seems to be the very thing that will tempt him down a darker path. As a parent, I feel for his mother; as a mother, I feel for Jack.

As the story moves to the rainforest, all the beauty and dangers of this remote location are vividly described. Conservation issues and respect for the indigenous people are skilfully woven into the fabric of the tale, creating greater impact as the reader, through Jack’s eyes and experience, becomes invested in this unique place. The story would make an excellent text to use at the heart of learning in English with much to discuss and explore for reading, writing and discussion as well as offering satisfying cross curricular possibilities.

One NOT to miss- publishing 4th May 2023.

Wild Ele Fountain

Pushkin Press ISBN: 978-1782693840