Grief and new beginnings
The death of Charlie’s unborn baby sister precedes the family’s upheaval, move and a summer described as a turning point.
Book details
Linda Newbery - Author
A summer story about bereavement, family change and starting again, following Charlie as an unwanted move gradually opens into work, friendship, art and new romantic feelings.
Flightsend is Charlie's new home, whether she likes it or not. Her mother sees it as an end to all that's gone so tragically wrong. They had been a proper family. Mum; her boyfriend, Sean; and Charlie, with a new baby sister on the way. But the baby died before she was born and everything changed. Gradually, Charlie's mother pushed Sean away, before resigning from her job and selling the house.Charlie is certain that the move to a ramshackle cottage, miles from anywhere, can only make things worse. She couldn't be more wrong. For Charlie's mum there's a new business and the fresh start that she knew she needed. And for Charlie there's a new job, new friends, a newly discovered talent for art, and new feelings for two very different men. It's a summer of beginnings, not ends; a summer that Charlie will never forget.From the Hardcover edition.
Book Brief
Sign in to see how this book fits your child and family preferences.
Sign in for personalised guidanceA summer story about bereavement, family change and starting again, following Charlie as an unwanted move gradually opens into work, friendship, art and new romantic feelings.
The death of Charlie’s unborn baby sister precedes the family’s upheaval, move and a summer described as a turning point.
Charlie sees her mother’s decisions as potentially disastrous but feels able only to offer support, while Sean is cut out of their lives.
At Flightsend, Charlie finds a job, new friends, an artistic talent and feelings for two different men.
The death of an unborn sibling, separation from Sean, a remote relocation and romantic uncertainty are central elements. These may merit a brief check-in before or during reading.
This is a grounded book brief while Suitabook strengthens the analysis: some draft conclusions still depend on unresolved evidence.
Book information
Limited information
Anything not established here remains open; it is not being treated as absent or safe.