The Silver Road - Sinéad O'Hart

 

Since starting her new school, things have been tough for Rose who has been bullied regularly by Emer, the daughter of her father's boss.  Feeling lonely, she regularly seeks refuge in one of the local shops where Gracie and Nellie are a comfort to her.  One night, she wakes to find a Frost Giant in her garden who entrusts her with a powerful stone.  However, when the stone falls into the wrong hands, things have the potential to go very wrong, and not just for Rose, but for everyone, as the stone can be used for great good or evil.  With magic that runs through the land, it is up to Rose to try to put things right before it's too late.

Rose makes a wonderful main character: as I said at the beginning, she has found starting the grammar school tough with Emer, in particular, bullying her from being from the wrong part of town.  Rose is hard-working and all she wants to do is study and make her family proud, but the added complication of Emer's father being her dad's boss, means that she doesn't feel she can talk about what's happening to her parents.  And on top of all that, she is clearly still mourning the loss of her Mamó who shared the Irish myths with her.  Rose is a determined character with an inner strength that I think surprises even her.  

Set in Ireland, The Silver Road combines myth with modern day in a fantastic story of courage, adventure and danger.  It is a wonderful story of hope, friendship, believing in yourself and finding the light in the darkness with an ending that will have you gripped.  Due for release on the 28th September, this is a book that will capture your heart.