The Rescue of Ravenwood: 'A sublime eco adventure.' The Times

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Coffee house Caffè Nero has announced the 16-strong shortlist for the inaugural Nero Book Awards, recognising the outstanding books of the past 12... A place where things happen . . . On the top of the hill, overlooking the sea, that's where you'll find a magical place . . . Ravenwood is an eccentric house, surrounded by old trees – in fact it has a collapsed tree taking up a great deal of the kitchen! But to Bea and Raffy it is their home, their refuge and their strength. They form a family with Raffy’s mother, Bea’s uncle and the wonderful countryside around them – full of memories and magical natural places.

To Bea and Raffy, Ravenwood is home. In its own way, the house rescued them, even if it did have a fallen-down tree taking up most of the kitchen. So the idea that it could be sold. Demolished even. Well, that’s unthinkable. Then again, it’s not like the children get a choice. But the truth is, we can all make our own choices, especially if we care enough . . .

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The story begins with the formation of a blended family composed of an uncle who takes on board the raising of his niece, and his ‘angel’ Martha who rescued him while he was struggling with his new found baby companion and her son Raffy. Raffy and Bea’s connection is forged straight away. Later the family is joined by Noa, who comes to stay for the summer holiday while her mother is stranded in a faraway country following an earthquake On top of the hill overlooking the sea is a magical place.To Bea and Raffy, Ravenwood is home. To Noa it’s a welcome refuge. In its own way, the house rescued them, even with a fallen tree taking up most of the kitchen. But now they’re about to lose it and there is nothing the children can do. . . Then, one summer, Leo brings home Noa, whose mum and dad have separated. Noa's mum is a nurse and she has had to go and help refugees in a war torn country. Her dad has moved in with his new girlfriend and her twins and although he has said that Noa can come and stay with him, she doesn't want to so Leo says she can stay with them. Praise for Natasha: 'Compelling, joyous, tear-jerking and delightful.' The Sunday Times. 'A modern classic.' The Guardian. 'It deserves prizes.' New Statesman

A beautiful, soulful, exciting story about holding onto what’s precious, and guarding the extraordinary nature that surrounds us.Ravenwood has been home to Bea and Raffy for as long as they can remember. To them, it's perfect, so when faced with the idea it could be sold, the children are determined to save it no matter what. Natasha Farrant crafts the most beautiful stories which are full of heart and hope and in The Rescue of Ravenswood, she has captured the essence of the love of home and belonging, the topsy-turviness of family - however that is formed - and how special places can be. I loved The Rescue of Ravenwood! Beautifully written, it has a timeless feel to it, reminding me of the adventure stories I enjoyed as a child. The three children are all wonderful characters. Bea is loyal and resourceful. She loves her parents and wants to please them, but by doing so she risks losing the only home she has ever really known. Her love for Ravenwood is so strong that he will do anything to protect it - even if it means putting herself in danger. Raffy is clever and loves nature. Having grown up with Bea since they were babies, they have a strong bond; he sees her as his sister and cannot bear the thought of them being separated. Noa is suffering the aftermath of her parents break up and is finding it hard to settle into a new school, so she is delighted to become friends with Bea and Raffy. The story is full of adventure and pace. The writing is gripping, and it is incredibly difficult to put down. There is a timeliness to the themes in this book. Especially at a time when young people are having to comprehend the actions of the adults before them and their impact on our society and environment. Whilst at the same time, being offered the perspective that we are all just doing the best we can in our situations and that life isn’t just a case of right or wrong.

Gripping, and important. I found myself waking up and wanting desperately to go and live in Ravenwood - I think all readers will." Joanna Nadin, author of Bafta award winnerJOE ALL ALONE Bea and Raffy's lives got bound to Ravenwood when they were only babies and a fallen-down tree was taking up most of the kitchen. It's thier home but also a magical place where nature reigns. In a way, Ravenwood rescued both of them, so its natural that, when Ravenwood is threatened to being sold and maybe even demolished, it's the children's turn to defend it.

One of the most accomplished children's writers around triumphs again with this engrossing and empowering story of fighting for what you believe in" Waterstones Best Children's Books To Bea and Raffy, Ravenwood is home. In its own way, the house rescued them, even if it did have a fallen-down tree taking up most of the kitchen. So the idea that it could be sold. Demolished even. Well, that's unthinkable. Then again, it's not like the children get a choice. But the truth is, we can all make our own choices, especially if we care enough . . .

In many ways, The Rescue of Ravenwood sums up what I feel is missing from lots of children's literature. This honest, emotional story of three children and their fight to protect Ygg, the ancient tree at their home, Ravenwood, is clearly one of the best children's novels I've encountered for a long time. It might not do things the "right" way - there are multitude of perspectives with no signals (chapters) that tell you who we are currently accompanying, the action is subdued and the stakes are not that high. Natasha Farrant consciously tells a tale of privileged children and their struggle to save what they care about. She makes her protagonist, Bea, deeply aware of this paradox, the fact that she feels an intense emotion but she has everything while others have nothing. Just saying, "Eat up your greens, there are children starving in the world" doesn't cut it any more and, in my experience with children, they want the truth about the world outside their own existence. This book speaks beyond the egotistic, small-scale world of the young idealistic while still affirming the important of what is close to you and what belongs to you. Places are important. That's one of the basic tenants of fighting climate change only he has to be scaled up. The Rescue of Ravenwood is where that awareness can begin and blossom. From the Costa Award winning author of Voyage of the Sparrowhawk comes an epic adventure with a call to arms: we must fight to save the most treasured things on our planet. The descriptions of the countryside around Ravenwood are evocative and reinforce the idea that all nature is valuable. The British countryside may not be as dramatically stunning as the jungles of Costa Rica but rolling green hills, sheltered coves and quiet ponds (which may or may not contain rare species of newt) are treasures well worth protecting. There is so much to enjoy about this story. Natasha Farrant always offers something special and The Rescue of Ravenwood is a real treasure. Everything the very best books are. Classic, modern, warm, righteous, brilliantly written and perfectly pitched." Katya Balen, author of Carnegie winner OCTOBER, OCTOBERBestselling author Alexandra Christo, author of TikTok sensation To Kill a Kingdom, introduces her new book, The Night Hunt (Hot Key Books), a dark... A captivating feat of storytelling and one that will make its permanent home in your heart" SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE WEEK