Owen and the Soldier

Owen visits a small park near his home each day to sit with a stone soldier statue and share his thoughts and worries. As a quiet boy who struggles to speak up in class, Owen finds comfort in these one-sided conversations with the weathered war memorial. At home, Owen tries his best to support his mother, who has been dealing with depression since his father left. The local council announces plans to renovate the park, including the removal of the soldier statue that has become Owen's confidant. This short novel explores themes of grief, courage, and finding one's voice through the lens of an introverted young boy's connection to a piece of local history. The story demonstrates how unexpected sources of comfort can lead to personal growth and inner strength.

Readers describe this short novel as an accessible, tender story about grief and friendship. Parents and teachers note it works well for reluctant readers ages 9-12 due to its length and straightforward writing style. Readers highlight: - Realistic portrayal of a child processing loss - The war memorial setting teaching history naturally - Strong mother-son relationship dynamics - Clear black and white illustrations Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly for some young readers - Limited character development beyond Owen - Some found the ending rushed Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (83 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (47 ratings) Amazon US: 4.6/5 (8 ratings) "Perfect for opening discussions about mental health and grief with children" - Teacher review on Goodreads "The stone soldier metaphor works beautifully" - Parent review on Amazon "My reluctant reader finished it in two sittings" - Parent review on Amazon

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🔷 Author Lisa Thompson wrote this moving story after being inspired by war memorials she encountered on her walks during the COVID-19 lockdown 🔷 The book is specifically written to be accessible for dyslexic readers, using specially chosen fonts and layouts 🔷 The stone soldier in the story represents one of thousands of similar WWI memorials found in towns and villages across the UK, many of which are now in need of restoration 🔷 The story tackles themes of grief and mental health in a gentle way that's appropriate for younger readers, earning it recognition from mental health organizations 🔷 Though only 104 pages long, Owen and the Soldier was shortlisted for multiple children's book awards, including the Carnegie Medal 2020