Storm

Storm centers on Annie, a young girl who lives with her family near a vast marsh in Britain. When a family emergency strikes during a fierce storm, she must venture across the marsh alone at night. The story takes place in a modern coastal setting where local legend speaks of a ghostly horseman who haunts the marshland. With phone lines down and wild weather raging, Annie faces both natural dangers and supernatural fears during her journey. This Carnegie Medal-winning novella combines elements of contemporary family life with traditional ghost story elements. Through spare prose and atmospheric illustrations by Alan Marks, it presents a child's encounter with fear, courage, and the unknown. The book explores themes of bravery and coming-of-age, as a young person confronts both real-world responsibilities and the shadowy territory between reality and folklore.

Readers describe Storm as a haunting and atmospheric ghost story that captures the mood of the English coast. Several reviewers note the authentic depiction of life in a small seaside village. Readers appreciated: - The vivid descriptions of the coastal setting and weather - The handling of supernatural elements without relying on gore or jump scares - The focus on family relationships and community bonds Common criticisms: - The pacing feels slow in the middle sections - Some found the ending unsatisfying - Young readers reported difficulty connecting with the protagonist Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (432 ratings) Amazon UK: 4/5 (28 ratings) Amazon US: 3.8/5 (12 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfectly captures the eerie isolation of coastal winters" - Goodreads reviewer "Beautiful writing but moves too slowly for younger readers" - Amazon UK review "The atmosphere carries the story more than the plot" - Amazon US review

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🌊 The marshland setting was inspired by the Norfolk Broads in Eastern England, a network of navigable rivers and lakes formed by medieval peat excavations. 📚 Kevin Crossley-Holland served as a distinguished Poetry Editor at Macmillan publishing house and has published over 50 books, including the award-winning Arthur trilogy. 🎨 Illustrator Alan Marks has created artwork for more than 200 children's books and is known for his masterful use of watercolor to capture moody, atmospheric scenes. 🏆 "Storm" was not only awarded the Carnegie Medal in 1985 but was later chosen as one of the top ten Carnegie Medal winners in the award's 70-year history. 🌿 The story draws heavily from East Anglian folklore, where marshlands were traditionally believed to be liminal spaces where the boundary between the physical and spiritual worlds was particularly thin.