The Light Jar by Lisa Thompson

Sometimes you read a book you enjoy so much, that you wish you had wrote it yourself - this book is one of those.

In the dead of night, Nate and his mum run away to a tumbledown cottage in the middle of a forest. When Mum heads off for food and doesn't return, Nate is left alone and afraid, with shadows closing in all around him. But comfort comes from the most unexpected of places - a mysterious girl on a cryptic treasure hunt, and the surprising reappearance of someone from his past.

This book had me absolutely captivated on Sunday afternoon. The tension and suspense that this book creates meant that I just couldn't put it down. I really came to care about Nate, and felt like I was there with him through everything he was experiencing.

Lisa Thompson has addressed an incredibly tough and tricky subject in such a brave and sensitive manner. This is a wonderfully poignant book to give to children going through a difficult time, however I would advise teachers/parents to read it themselves first. 

Both The Light Jar and The Goldfish Boy are beautifully written and I cannot wait for more books from Lisa.