Lights Up: Discover the magical story for 9-12 year olds

by Lisette Auton

Just like her favourite person in the whole world – her grandad – Hettie’s favourite place in the whole world – the Arts Centre – has gone. And Hettie can’t quite work out how she’s supposed to feel anything like how she did before.

Many years before, Jack is feeling lonely too. But his life changes when he’s taken in by a theatre troupe and learns the secrets of the mysterious people behind the acts.
And many years before that, Araine is also struggling, with a life that doesn’t look anything like she thought it would. A meagre existence where it seems like rich people, with their evenings out at the theatre, don’t have a thing to worry about.
When you’re feeling alone it can be hard to see the light.
But though they live years apart, Hettie, Jack and Araine are connected in ways they never imagined.
A magical story full of ghosts, theatre, love, friendship and family from disabled writer, activist, spoken word artist and theatre maker Lisette Auton.


Lisette's debut, The Secret of Haven Point, was described by award-winning author Elle McNicoll as 'A charming tale . . . with my favourite kind of hero at its heart'.

372 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2024

Reviews

[J.F. Duncan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know I'm not the target audience, but pretty sure the nine year old me would have been just as frustrated by this as the middle aged me is... This had all the ingredients of a novel I ought to have loved: theatre, ghosts, miniature theatre models, magical automata, history... From the lovely cover and blurb I was expecting Eva Ibbotson meets Swish of the Curtain - and so was frankly disappointed! Just not tightly plotted enough, with an overly complex narrative structure and some leaps of logic which I didn't quite follow. Others may love it, but it wasn't for me!

[BookBairn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lisette Auton writes brilliant, incidental, representation in her latest tale of ghosts, friendship family - and spiders! Hettie is a feisty protagonist whose heartbreak at the loss of her grandfather colours her view of the new theatre in town, little does she know that the theatre and her family have a long, mysterious and ghostly connection. Until she rolls through the doors and discovers powerful magic is at work. And she is tempted by what that dark magic promises.

This is a book about love, and loss and grief. But it’s also about found family. With a beautiful depiction of how it’s the friendships you forge and the community you build that matters. This historical, multiple timeline ghost mystery will give you goosebumps!

[Kate Levett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as a teacher as it was a recommended book for children. I have to say I did cry some real tears in parts too!

What can I say? It had all of the feels from suspense, grief, excitement, dreams becoming reality and more.


I absolutely love that we don't ever really know about why Hettie is in a wheelchair because we know all of the things we need to know - she is well organised, intelligent, talented, likeable, brave and grieving.

I've been walking around school with it under my arm for the past week and some members of book club are already desperate to read it next.

Looking forward to meeting Lisette in May!

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter really enjoyed reading this. She said she had to concentrate as their were stores within the stories and they overlapped even though they were in different times. Apparently one of the ghosts in it is a dog.

[Mrs Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not my normal style of book but I did enjoy it. I loved going between the three different stories and finding how they all connected. Some good messages throughout which I think all will benefit from.

[Micky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading Lisette Auton's first two books so was already looking forward to her third. I was NOT disappointed. It's an excellent read. 👌. Thoroughly enjoyed the different stories and time shifts.

[Lucill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another wonderful book by lisette. Loved it. Read it over two days. My daughter is excited to be reading it now

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five star epic ghostacular with great disability and difference representation. Fantastic work.

[Avery]

DNF 9%.
I made the mistake of thinking this book is for older children than it actually is.