Erin, Januari en Muis wonen in een kindertehuis. Op een dag lopen ze weg en gaan met een zelfgemaakt vlot de rivier op. Ze spoelen aan in het zwarte slik en ontmoeten daar Sterre en haar Opi.
Opnieuw een mooi boek van David Almond, alhoewel ik "De wildernis" mooier en spannender vond. Maar dat komt misschien omdat "De wildernis" het eerste boek van Almond was dat ik las. ( )

I picked up this book to study Almond's writing techniques but found myself so sucked into the story that I forgot to "study" as I read. No worries. I can go back through it later. This is such a strange and evocative story. Is it futuristic? Is it present day? Is Heaven Eyes real? Is Grampa evil? So many questions unfold and it's such a satisfying stroll toward the answers. A YA novel that will be enjoyed by adults as well. ( )

A good and insightful story for young readers. ( )

This book was amazing.....'nuff said. ( )

This young adult novel is about orphans, or "Damaged Children", being raised in an orphanage in the UK. The main character, Erin Law, and her two best friends, January Carr and Mouse Gullane often run away for a few days but always make it back none the worse for wear. On this trip, they fall into an almost mystical bog world (although really they are on a derelict waterfront not far from home) where they meet a strange young girl called Heaven Eyes and her caretaker grampa. This experience leaves them much closer than before as Heaven Eyes peers into their souls and manages to see the joy that exists beneath all the sadness in the world.

Unlike most young adult fiction, there is no happy or neatly wrapped ending. This novel explores themes of family, abandonment and belonging. The author explains very little, but reveals his messages through the actions and feelings of his characters.

Worth reading. ( )