WINNER OF THE EDWARD STANFORD CHILDREN'S TRAVEL BOOK OF THE YEAR 2022





A SUNDAY TIMES CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK





Dive beneath the waves with this spell-binding adventure of friendship, forgiveness and bravery, set on the shores of Papua New Guinea, perfect for fans of Katherine Rundell and Eva Ibbotson.

"I want to be able to call the sharks. Teach me the magic and show me the ways."



Blue Wing is desperate to become a shark caller, but instead she must befriend infuriating newcomer Maple, who arrives unexpectedly on Blue Wing's island.



At first, the girls are too angry to share their secrets and become friends. But when the tide breathes the promise of treasure, they must journey together to the bottom of the ocean to brave the deadliest shark of them all...

"The most incredible story...tender and wise, with themes of friendship, love, grief, revenge and acceptance." Michelle Harrison

"Magnificent and beautiful." Sophie Anderson



Zillah Bethell was born in the shadow of the volcano Mount Lamington in Papua New Guinea. She grew up without shoes, toys or technology. Consequently she spent a lot of time in the sea swimming and in canoes. Zillah's family returned to the UK when she was ten, and she now lives and walks in the hills of South Wales. A few of her favourite things include swimming in the rain, cheesy fridge magnets, Chopin, dancing and diphthongs.



Above all, this is an exploration of grief and it has such wisdom that there are paragraphs worth copying to save and reread.



Thought-provoking, hopeful and full of atmosphere.



Magnificent and beautiful



I was blown away by it. A master storyteller with an adventure that will catapult children into wildness and wonder.



The most incredible story.



Storytelling at its best



A sweeping, gorgeously told adventure of friendship and forgiveness.



What a read! Blue Wing is an amazing protagonist



A shimmering read that carried me away to a land of sunsets, sharks and adventures!



Outstanding storytelling that is at once moving, heart-stirring and life-affirming.



This is a book about love and loss and how to cope with them, about tradition and respect, about change and acceptance. It is one which should not be missed.



Absolutely gorgeous, Blue Wing completely stole my heart



A rare treasure of an adventure.



I'm going to shout about this book everywhere I go because it is EXTRAORDINARY!



[A] beautifully written, deeply immersive, and one of the most emotional and spellbinding adventures you will read this year.



A lyrical lovesong to letting go, longing, loss and the landscape of Papua New Guinea. An exceptional story only Zillah could tell.



Read it open-mouthed in wonder at the storytelling



A masterpiece.



A completely moving, unique and special book.



I loved it



This exceptional novel, which explores complex emotions of guilt and grief, will remain with the reader long after the final page.



A deceptively simple tale, beautifully told