Where the River Takes Us by Lesley Parr

March 2023

It’s February 1974 and Lesley Parr is taking us on a heart-felt journey into living history. Full of nostalgia for a simpler time, Where the River Takes Us, is a wonderful read for both adults and children.

13 year-old Jason is struggling. Since his parents’ tragic death, he and his older brother Richie have been trying to make ends meet. They are desperate to stay together and avoid the pitying looks of a small community where everyone knows everyone else. Times are hard for everyone in their Welsh town. Power cuts, a reduced working week and not enough coal or oil means it’s cold, dark and lonely. It’s exhausting trying to pretend he’s fine when really he’s not.

Richie makes some bad choices and runs into trouble. Desperate, Jason wants to help but feels useless. When he hears about a wild cat on the loose and reward for a photo of it, he wonders if this might be his chance! He and his friends set off on a quest reminiscent of “Stand By Me” in the hopes they’ll spot the Beast of Blaengarw first and come home with some money.

Things don’t exactly go to plan. A series of missteps and mishaps leads the gang into all sorts of trouble in this classic adventure. The freedom of children being out on their bikes along with so many memories of the 1970s paint a picture of a period of history not often portrayed in children’s books. Readers will be drawn into Jason’s hardship and develop empathy for a character who wants to do the right thing but really doesn’t know how. As he searches for the big cat, he also searches for answers about his future and the healing he craves.

Where the River Takes Us is a gorgeous story that is sure to become a favourite with readers looking for excitement, freedom, family and friendship.

Thank you to Bloomsbury & NetGalleyUK for an early read of this lovely book!

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