Robert doesn't think so, knowing as he does that he is the school geek. But something compels him to do what Edith asks - to visit old Chance House, where a boy once fell to his death from the top floor flat, to confront his fears and find some answers. A regular recommendation for anti-bullying week, Feather Boy is chosen by teachers for its empowering conclusion and its sensitive portrayal of a friendship across generations.

Further children’s novels followed, including Knight Crew (2009), which was adapted into a community opera, a process documented in the BBC TV series Gareth Malone Goes to Glyndebourne (2010). Her play Island (2012), which was set in the Canadian Arctic and dealt with the effects of global warming, had a successful run at the NT and a subsequent schools’ tour. Robert Nobel, the school pariah, triumphs over his own fears and the school bully, in this extraordinary tale of self-empowerment, legend and death. As often with books I buy second-hand for really cheap, I didn’t know anything at all about this book. I was convinced to buy it when I saw it got the “book of the year” and “Book I couldn’t put down” awards in the Blue Peter Awards and that it had been reedited in the “Essential Modern Classics” collection. Very naturally, this book tempted me even though I didn’t know what it was about. We follow the little Robert Nobel, a 12-year-old student who doesn’t really have any friends. His class is involved in a common project with a Rest Home where he builds an extraordinary friendship. This is one of those rare and truly exceptional stories. A book that captures the heart and will live on in memory for ages. The story defies an age group, while not suitable for youngest children, it can be read and enjoyed by juveniles and adults with equal pleasure. There are both a young 13-year-old and a senior citizen character for readers to possibly choose one over the other to identify with, though the book is told from the 13-year old's point of view. Robert Nobel, the school pariah, triumphs over his own fears and the school bully in this extraordinary tale of self-empowerment, legend and death.Robert is directed to a creepy old derelict house where rumour has it a boy about his age once jumped to his death from the top floor apartment thinking he could fly. Robert must race against time to figure out the mystery of the house and learn himself how to truly fly. For information and permissions for a school show please see here: http://debbiewiseman.co.uk/featherboy/index.shtml But something compels him to do what Edith asks – to visit old Chance House, where a boy once fell to his death from the top floor flat, to confront his fears and find some answers.

The book was adapted for television in 2004 and first shown as a series of six 30-minute episodes on the British TV channel, BBC One on 16 March. [1] It was later repeated as a single feature-length programme on 30 May 2004. The main character was really touching and it was nice to see him get more confidence in himself. Really, this was a book that was hard to close because it is full of suspense and is really well-written. A beautiful novel that makes you think about life, death, memories but also the future and that makes us want to be more self-confident and to follow our dreams, because we all want to fly! It is also the most beautiful book I have read about intergenerational love. I think it will remain famous for a long time in the British literary culture. I highly recommend it from 12 year old (despite the publisher’s recommending it from 9) and also to adults who will enjoy it even more according to me. Feather Boy was made into series for BBC television, and adapted as a musical for the National Theatre. Robert is a boy who can do anything – or so old Edith Sorrel at the nursing home tells him. Robert doesn’t think so, knowing as he does that he is the school geek. Heart-warming, funny, with characters who make you like or hate them, this is a beautifully written book. It is a coming of age story for Robert as he has a truly remarkable experience. It is a coming to terms with life story for the old lady, Mrs. Sorrel, as she finds a way to settle the anguish and self-punishment she has put herself through for the past forty years. Out of all this come life for one and death for the other, both good and wonderful things. This is an exceptional story which I am delighted to have read.

About Nicky Singer

Niker the bully thinks this is a great laugh. He challenges Robert to spend the night at Chance House with him – but there the balance of power changes, and it is Robert who proves to be the stronger. By turns funny and sad, mythical and mysterious, this is a book that many readers say they found hard to put down and have never forgotten.