This sounded so heart-breaking but so heartwarming and sadly familiar to me and I'm sure to an awful lot of older readers.

Dementia and topics like that can be really hard to write convincingly about without making it sound too patronising or too extravagant.

It is really moving. Not only the dementia side of it but also things like ill health, bad memories, war, secrets, courage. It's got a lot in it and it is at time quite heavy, but overall I think it's got a good balance. It's appropriate for the age range but doesn't dumb things down. It shows the difficulties that can come with ageing but shows readers not to be scared.

It's a child narrator which can be hard for adults to write and read, but with Huw, he's completely believable with his schooling and his friends etc. and he's actually a really captivating narrator.

It is subtly done but I love the moral of being brave, about standing up for what you believe, even if that means standing up to your loved ones. I won't spoil it, but in terms of the Nan/Johnny storyline, I wish there had been a bit more as I really wated to get my teeth into, but that would probably bore some younger readers.

There's not a huge amount for adults, but it isn't aimed at us. It's perfect for younger readers who want something to get their teeth into. But from my adult point-of-view, it's a quick book to read. I read it in less than two hours, and yet you never feel bored and nor does it feel too confusing. It's perfectly pitched.

I am not sure I can adequately convey the brilliance of this story. Feather is a beautiful piece of storytelling and the characters are so relatable. There is the beautiful backdrop of family and the untold stories which makes this beautifully captivating, and through which the themes of family, friendship, love and loss within the folds of a heartwarming story are explored. Manon Steffan Ros' writing is so unequivocally beautiful; it gets deep into the reader soul. Just exquisite
Huge thanks to @FireflyPress via @NetGalley for an early read.
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This is a short, but powerful story. Huw's Grandmother is a key part of his life as his dad is a single parent who is clearly not coping with life. Early on, we realise that she is suffering with dementia and Huw doesn't know what to do. She starts talking about Johnny and Huw makes it his mission to find out about Johnny before she forgets. In researching Johnny, Huw makes a new friend and realises that his best friend can be more supportive than he gave him credit for. Huw also finds his courage. He talks to his dad, really talks to him. What's lovely is that nothing changes straight away after the conversation. Its a slow, natural process as it would happen in real life. This is a truly believable book with characters that we can all relate too. There are lots of themes squeezed in here as well. Family, friendships, sadness, forgiveness. Such a beautiful book and one that I will be reading again.

This touching story had me giggling by page four and feeling all the emotions from then on! A helpful and insightful read to help any child (age appropriate) understand and come to terms with the changing of grandparents and relatives succumbing to illness. This story does an excellent job of making many sensitive topics and emotions more approachable, giving a child reader the confidence to better cope with the unknown. Our protagonist, Huw, navigates his complex feelings of love, judgement, and guilt felt towards his Nan.

The child narrator is believable and has a friendly voice that balances serious topics with the joy of childhood friendships and adventure, without ever talking down to the reader. Two major mysteries are set up early on, creating a great hook and keeping the reader entertained with fast-paced and easy to digest plot.

With a central theme of lineage and legacy, a helpful commentary on mental illness, and a touching, heart warming ending this story delivers throughout.