Owen and the Soldier

Description

Owen and his mum are struggling. It's just the two of them now and they're finding it difficult to ask for the help they need. When Owen discovers a battered old war memorial in the local park, he finds great comfort in confessing his worries to the war-weary stone soldier. No matter what Owen says, the soldier just sits and listens, and most days that's all Owen needs. So when the council make plans to modernise the park and get rid of the soldier, Owen is devastated and decides to put up a fight. If he can just show everyone how important the soldier is, maybe this time Owen won't be left to cope on his own.

Lisa Thompson is a children's novelist and the author of the best-selling The Goldfish Boy and The Light Jar. The Goldfish Boy was a Waterstones Children's Book of the Month and was nominated for the Carnegie Medal, the Branford Boase Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. She lives in Suffolk with her family.

"A clever, thought-provoking story that draws parallels between past and present conflicts, and how we remember those lost so that we can move on" -- Emma Carroll "For my money, Lisa Thompson is one of the greatest treasures we have in contemporary children's fiction ... A rare, brilliant talent" -- Maz Evans "A beautiful tale of a courageous young man who overcomes his fears to stand up for what he believes. Lisa Thompson writes stories that must be written. Here, she sensitively weaves complex ideas of young carers, social anxiety and remembrance into a story that somehow remains light and accessible" -- Book Trust "This truly incredible tale that comes from the heart is both a gift and a gentle reminder of remembrance ... No one writes stunning stories with the depth of emotion and empathy quite like Lisa does" -- Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher "As a reader you can't help but feel an instant affinity to the main character in this story. At once you sense the pain and loneliness of a young boy with a kind heart ... The unpatronising simplicity and easy connection with the protagonist have made it a favourite quick read in my class" -- Just Imagine