Thank you to the publishers for this early review copy, I have read Katya's work before so I knew to expect something wonderful and she certainly didn't disappoint. This is a beautiful story about nature, exploring, friendships, family and trust. It will melt your heart and I totally recommend it.

I was lucky enough to receive a free hardback copy through the Youth Library Group newsletter last year and have just got around to reading it. I've read other books by Katya Balen and so was really looking forward to it and it still surpassed my expectations. A brilliant adventure story with great characters - she writes family relationships so well. A strong sense of place. I would thoroughly recommend 'Ghostlines' to children of about the age of the main characters - upper primary. A lovely book.

I have a couple of Katya's books to read already ('October, October' because the cover was gorgeous and 'Foxlight' because it won the Wainwright Prize for kids) and my TBR isn't getting any smaller but as a children's fiction fiend and a massive bird nerd I couldn't possibly resist the exclusive edition of this book with puffins (!!!!) on the sprayed edge. What a novelty to have puffins on the edge of the pages acting as some kind of progress bar to show me how far through the book I was. The puffins have been restored to their full glory, the book is finished, and I'm so glad I completely judged the book by its cover (or, edges) and gave it a read. I absolutely loved it! Friendship, adventure, puffins, a haunted island, a dog, a bath full of kittens - what's not to like?! I can't wait to dive into those other books!

Ghost stories and growing up in this achingly beautiful, invigorating and life-affirming story of two children gradually becoming friends and helping each other overcome difficult life events on the remote Scottish island of Ayrie. Tilda is missing brother Rowan and Albie is missing his previous home and mainland life. As Tilda tries to show Albie why island life is wonderful, she also hears more about what might draw someone away and so, slowly, begrudgingly, unknowingly, they both begin to heal and understand and accept. To the point where Albie is just as determined as the islanders to look after the local puffin population, but when a storm hits it's not just the puffins in danger. And then there's the forbidden island, and the foreboding tales of its dark and deadly past... The ghost stories about the forbidden island add a really chilling, spooky atmosphere to this, making it the perfect autumn/winter read for a dark evening, and the (metaphorical) magic the island brings to the story is truly something too. Katya Balen's writing transported me to the Scottish Isles. I was layered in knitwear, bracing myself against whipping winds on the hills, smelling bonfires on the air and feeling sharp, salty sea spray in my face. And, if Balen writes settings beautifully and immersively, she also creates characters who wholly inhabit them and whom you utterly believe in and nowhere do we see this more than in Ghostlines - this is a community brought to life in all its secrets, traditions, trust, gossip and neighbourly knowledge Beautifully written, this is a moving and exhilarating story about community, tradition and closeness, but also about growing up, widening your world view, about possibilities...and maybe one or two ghosts...

This book is a love letter to nature and communities that centre around it. Balen’s writing is superb and I love how multiple sentences are said as one that helps give the feel of an excited child speaking. The community featured on the island is heartwarming and important to read in modern times where that can often get lost. Everyone’s love and knowledge of the island and its features, including their care and dedication to the Puffins, was such a joy to read. I really liked the explained idea of ghostlines - that they’re “invisible yet bright” paths in the ocean, made by previous travelers, that guide you - and how Tilda compared her relationship with her brother and Albie as ghostlines. The last few chapters were moving and beautiful, Albie making Tilda realise what went wrong with her brother and allowing her to fix their relationship and getting to read that happen was beautiful. Albie bringing bits of the mainland to the island and further strengthening their community was a great touch to show him fitting in and adapting to the island. A truly fantastic read that will stick in my memory for sure!