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How to Be Free
The delightful third book in the 'truly marvellous' (Independent) How to Be a thrilling adventure of found family, undying loyalty and some truly spectacular cake
—Praise for the How to Be series—
'This twisty tale is truly marvellous' Independent, Children's Book of the Week
'Ridiculously loveable book alert... hilarious and completely endearing' Clémentine Beauvais, author of Piglettes
'How to be Brave is wonderful. It's a brilliantly funny and heartfelt middle-grade adventure that had me cheering, smiling, crying and craving a slice of victoria sponge. Think bake-off-meets-boarding-school with nuns and ducks. I loved it' Sarah Baker, author of Through the Mirror Door
It's the start of a new term at the School of the Good Sisters and Hanna, Edie and Calla are ready to enjoy everything their extraordinary school has to offer. But they soon realise that Something Is Most Definitely Up. Not only is a mean businessman trying to open a kale factory in Little Hampden and remove all their delicious snacks, but their beloved Headmistress Good Sister June has disappeared - and nobody knows where she's gone.
It's time for Hanna and her friends to rally an army of first years to protest against the horrors of kale while they set out on an adventure to bring Good Sister June home. As they travel across the country following a trail of clues, they will learn about the power of family, friendship, and a well-timed slice of Victoria Sponge...
—Praise for the How to Be series—
'This twisty tale is truly marvellous' Independent, Children's Book of the Week
'Ridiculously loveable book alert... hilarious and completely endearing' Clémentine Beauvais, author of Piglettes
'How to be Brave is wonderful. It's a brilliantly funny and heartfelt middle-grade adventure that had me cheering, smiling, crying and craving a slice of victoria sponge. Think bake-off-meets-boarding-school with nuns and ducks. I loved it' Sarah Baker, author of Through the Mirror Door
It's the start of a new term at the School of the Good Sisters and Hanna, Edie and Calla are ready to enjoy everything their extraordinary school has to offer. But they soon realise that Something Is Most Definitely Up. Not only is a mean businessman trying to open a kale factory in Little Hampden and remove all their delicious snacks, but their beloved Headmistress Good Sister June has disappeared - and nobody knows where she's gone.
It's time for Hanna and her friends to rally an army of first years to protest against the horrors of kale while they set out on an adventure to bring Good Sister June home. As they travel across the country following a trail of clues, they will learn about the power of family, friendship, and a well-timed slice of Victoria Sponge...
297 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 2, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 19, 2025
Dit boek zorgt voor een heel mooi open einde van de How to be brave/true/free trilogie, maar dat betekent dat er geen boeken meer overblijven die zich afspelen in en rond “the school of the Good Sisters” en dat is eigenlijk wel heel erg jammer. Hanna, Edie en Calla zijn inspirerende personages en elk boek bevatte zoveel meer diepgang dan je op het eerste zicht zou verwachten.
De verhalen zijn ontroerend en hartverwarmend, en tegelijkertijd hilarisch en avontuurlijk. De vele voetnoten en de eendenmopjes maken van het geheel iets wat echt af voelt en anders is dan andere kinderboeken. Zoals de dochter zei: ik ben er eigenlijk al te oud voor, maar het was zoooooo leuk om de boeken te lezen!
Sommige zinnen waren te mooi om niet over te typen:
Adults sometimes try to do the right thing when they’re not sure what the right thing is and so are really very talented at doing the absolutely wrong thing instead.
… and tell her that she’s going to be okay because when you’re very sad and feeling all alone, that’s when you need telling that sort of thing the most.
A Tiny Cry is the sort of cry that you do when you are a Little Bit Overwhelmed by everything that is going on and just want a moment to catch your breath and figure out your thoughts.
… we must be open to being disappointed and to things going wrong but never, ever stop believing that they will work out for the better.
“Maybe all you have to do is keep going,” said Calla wisely. “And we’ll figure out the ending when we get there. Together.”
Grief is a wave. It comes and it goes. You mustn’t fight it. That’s the secret. Never fight it.
… sometimes you might feel like everybody else is writing your story for you but really you are the one who is writing it all along and all you need to have is somebody to believe in you.
De verhalen zijn ontroerend en hartverwarmend, en tegelijkertijd hilarisch en avontuurlijk. De vele voetnoten en de eendenmopjes maken van het geheel iets wat echt af voelt en anders is dan andere kinderboeken. Zoals de dochter zei: ik ben er eigenlijk al te oud voor, maar het was zoooooo leuk om de boeken te lezen!
Sommige zinnen waren te mooi om niet over te typen:
Adults sometimes try to do the right thing when they’re not sure what the right thing is and so are really very talented at doing the absolutely wrong thing instead.
… and tell her that she’s going to be okay because when you’re very sad and feeling all alone, that’s when you need telling that sort of thing the most.
A Tiny Cry is the sort of cry that you do when you are a Little Bit Overwhelmed by everything that is going on and just want a moment to catch your breath and figure out your thoughts.
… we must be open to being disappointed and to things going wrong but never, ever stop believing that they will work out for the better.
“Maybe all you have to do is keep going,” said Calla wisely. “And we’ll figure out the ending when we get there. Together.”
Grief is a wave. It comes and it goes. You mustn’t fight it. That’s the secret. Never fight it.
… sometimes you might feel like everybody else is writing your story for you but really you are the one who is writing it all along and all you need to have is somebody to believe in you.
May 5, 2024
I absolutely loved being back in the world of the School of the Good Sisters. I loved how it gave some back story on Good Sister June and looked a little closer at Hanna. Again a book packed full of adventure and yummy treats. I just adore the way in which these books are written.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews