Storm Child

by Ele Fountain

An exciting, thought-provoking novel about parental unemployment and facing your problems, from the prize-winning author of Boy 87 and Fake

Maya's life is about to be upended. After her dad's fishing boat is ravaged by a relentless storm, Maya's parents make the decision to start over-by moving to a tropical island. But making a change doesn't always make a difference.

Far from her friends and her quiet seaside home where she spent all her time surfing, Maya is swept away by a storm much larger than herself. As Maya begins to realise that paradise is not always what it seems, can she bring her family back home again?

Genres: Middle Grade

205 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2024

About the author

Ele Fountain worked as an editor in children’s publishing where she was responsible for launching and nurturing the careers of many prize-winning and bestselling authors.

She lived in Addis Ababa for several years, where she was inspired to write Boy 87, her debut novel. Ele lives in what she describes as a “not quite falling down house” in Hampshire with her husband, two young daughters and lots of spiders.

Reviews

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eli Fountain is one of the top authors for the 10-14 year old reading group - her stories are always original and gripping - tapping into events that affects many and highlighting very pertinent issues.

Maya and her parents live by the sea - Maya has a close group of friends and loves to surf. But following a storm and her father losing his precious boat , the family are forced to consider where they live especially as a developer wants their land for a sea side resort.

The family decide to move to another part of the world with the dream that life will be better ...but will it?

Maya struggles to make friends and her parents work tirelessly to make ends meet; eventually she befriends a local girl- Kalani . Kalani views Maya with some scepticism - is she yet another tourist moving to her island forcing locals to lose their identity? Together the two girls confront danger and ultimately recognise they have similar concerns that impact upon them..

The message in this novel is more subtle than previous books- yes, it is about family and surviving in difficult times but this new book looks at a changing world where tourism is eroding the traditions and lives of local people all for the gratification of visitors and those with money.

A great read that will further open awareness awareness of global changes to its audience- a good upper key stage 2 class read for discussion too

[Linda Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maya’s family is in financial trouble.

Storm Child is a wonderful book. It opens in dramatic fashion and proceeds at a pace that captivates readers young and old.

I love the way modern issues of climate change, sustainability and family debt are woven into the story, enabling young readers to comprehend adult issues in an appropriate manner, but without these aspects feeling contrived. Indeed, this might even be a story that enables an adult to have difficult conversations with children. It’s very clear in the story that grown ups don’t always have all the answers to life’s difficulties.

There’s a fast moving, frequently dramatic storyline that holds the reader’s full attention throughout, but it was the themes of the story that I found the most affecting. Through Maya’s experiences, Ele Fountain considers family and friendship, the difficulties of change and how best to weather the storms of life. The extended storm metaphor is brilliantly handled, from Maya’s tricky physical experience at the start and end of the book, through her father’s fishing boat accident, to the more intangible storms of starting a new life and making new friends. I thought this aspect was fantastic and incredibly emotional.

Maya herself is a wonderful character. She’s mature and sensitive in her outlook and yet very much a child who doesn’t always respond as well as she might to others, so young readers can relate to her completely. All the aspects that are familiar to youngsters are present in Maya’s life such as school and friendships, but there’s adventure and novelty in surfing, travel and a different culture too, making Storm Child a truly engaging story.

Storm Child is beautifully written with descriptions that have a filmic, poetic quality and that feed the imagination. However, the most glorious aspect of the story telling is the way Ele Fountain conveys deep emotion through what she doesn’t write, every bit as skilfully as she does through her words. She provides such nuanced light and shade that Storm Child is profoundly moving as well as interesting and exciting. I confess there were several moments when I had a tear in my eye as I read.

The ex-teacher in me wants to highlight all the learning opportunities Storm Child provides, from the potential for art or drama lessons in interpreting and illustrating the story, through geographical climate issues and astronomy to personal safety, but actually I think Storm Child deserves to be read for sheer pleasure. I loved Storm Child because it looks right into the heart of a child’s life and illustrates that true strength comes from family, friendship and being true to yourself. It’s a superb book that readers of all ages will enjoy and I thought it was fantastic.

[Beth Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Ele’s previous books so jumped at the chance to review Storm Child.

Maya’s family own a stately home and have their own beach, where Maya and her friends meet to surf and roast marshmallows. However they are struggling financially, so when her father loses his fishing boat to a storm their income goes with it.

Her parents decide that moving to a tropical paradise, following in her uncle’s footsteps, is the answer. Maya is not happy as she will be leaving behind everything she loves.

It soon becomes clear that despite their enthusiasm, her parents do not have a proper plan to earn a living, they end up trying different things and Maya becomes frustrated. She struggles with not being able to surf, her parents are not there for her as they are working all hours. This adds to her emotional overload at having to make a new start and try to make friends.

Maya meets Kalani, a local girl who hates tourists, and becomes more aware of how the expansion of tourism is harming the environment and the impact it has on the indigenous people, as well as animal and marine life.

When her stubbornness and poor decision making puts herself and Kalani in danger, Maya has to make a decision that will affect everyone. Will her parents agree with her?

Once again Ele has written an engaging story that also carries a strong message about the environment and the negative impact humans have on it, whilst giving us hope that positive action can be taken to negate this.

Thanks to @PushkinChildren for the ARC in exchange for this blog review.

[Beatrice Tibaldini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ele Fountain, already well-known for her engaging narrative style and meaningful stories, delivers a novel with *Storm Child* that tackles environmental and social issues through the eyes of a young protagonist facing profound changes.

One of the novel’s strengths is the characterization of Maya. She is not just a girl undergoing a drastic transformation but a complex protagonist who grows throughout the story. Her voice is authentic, and her emotions are palpable: from initial anger to acceptance, from a sense of loss to a determined resolve to make a difference.
The relationship with secondary characters, particularly Kalani, is crafted with great sensitivity. Initially wary, Kalani represents Maya’s connection to the new reality she is thrust into. Their friendship is not immediate but develops through moments of struggle and misunderstanding, mirroring the challenges of adapting to a new environment and understanding different cultures.

The novel stands out for its approach to climate change and humanity’s impact on nature. Climate change is not merely a backdrop but an active element of the story. The storm that changes Maya’s life is just one of many consequences of a fragile balance that is constantly under threat.
Fountain does not simply discuss environmental issues; she intertwines them with themes of identity and personal responsibility. As the novel progresses, Maya realizes that her choices—just like those of the adults around her—have consequences, and that remaining a passive observer is not an option.

Ele Fountain’s prose is direct and immersive, with evocative descriptions that transport the reader into Maya’s world. The maritime setting, tropical islands, and the contrast between natural beauty and human destruction are rendered in a vivid and captivating style.
The pacing is well-balanced: there are moments of tension and action, but also more intimate reflections that allow the reader to connect with the protagonist. The first-person narration strengthens this bond, making the reader experience Maya’s emotions and discoveries firsthand.

*Storm Child* is a powerful and timely novel, capable of engaging both young readers and adults with a story that intertwines adventure, personal growth, and important reflections on our relationship with nature. Ele Fountain once again proves her ability to tackle complex themes in an accessible and compelling way.
If you are looking for a story about resilience, change, and environmental awareness that never feels preachy, *Storm Child* is a book worth reading.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blurb
Maya's life is about to be upended. After her dad's fishing boat is ravaged by a relentless storm, Maya's parents make the decision to start over-by moving to a tropical island. But making a change doesn't always make a difference. Far from her friends and her quiet seaside home where she spent all her time surfing, Maya is swept away by a storm much larger than herself. As Maya begins to realise that paradise is not always what it seems, can she bring her family back home again?

I was fortunate enough to be part of the blog tour for Storm Child and I am very grateful to Pushkin Press for a proof copy of the book to read in exchange for my honest review.

My review
Storm Child is another triumph from the fabulous Ele Fountain. The book tells the story of Maya, who lives with her parents by the coast. It is a book packed with important themes: family, friendship, our sense of belonging and place in the world and the importance of nature and the impact of human activity on the planet.

The wonderful thing about Ele’s books is that she ‘gets’ what it’s like to be a young person navigating the many challenges that life can throw at you. Maya’s family seem like they have it all - a large home (inherited from previous generations), lots of land around the coast and a family name that everyone has heard of. However, the reality is far from this, and as Maya begins to realise, her parents are burdened with financial struggles and everything they love is about to change.

Maya has to cope with moving to another country, leaving behind her friends and her dreams, which is conveyed realistically and with empathy. Any child/teenager who reads this book will be able to relate to what Maya is going through and, will find solace in Ele’s words.

Storm child is about the physical storm that drives Maya and her family away, but it is also about the storms we all carry within us and how we deal with this.

I would highly recommend Storm Child, and all of Ele’s books. They make especially good reading for UKS2 and KS3 students.

Storm Child is out now, published by Pushkin Press.

[Theediscerning · Rating 2 out of 5]

In contrast to the other Ele Fountain books I've read from her backlist, this feels too loose – it's really hard to work out where it's going. Oddly, too, it features a big move from one country to another – we're told one hemisphere to the other – and yet we still don't know where the characters making that move are from, or where they're going either. Is there enough drama or intrigue on these pages to cover over the large lack of focus?

We are focused at least on Maya, a young surfer chick in what seems like Australia. Paradise, but for the reality – the cold wintry seas are far too icy and stormy, and while her family owns a whole headland with large house atop it the money is barely there – dad's fishing boat brings nothing back, and mum's baking doesn't earn much bread, either. Maya in fact hears rumours of a selling-up and moving away, but after a major incident – more like a near-tragedy – the moving away certainly happens. You're left to google a couple of terms when you finally get them to work out where to.

And then… the book continues in its furrow, but as a character piece, partly showing Maya trying to befriend one of the local teenagers. Don't get me wrong, the usual strong writing ability of Ms Fountain is definitely here again – and her typical short chapters keep the pages blasting past – but the whole might have been here for a more definite point. There are things here and glimpses there that add to this being an issue book – the issues being ghost nets, the oceanic environment and coastal development, of all snazzy things, and the whole story has some ulterior motive, along the lines of the benefits or otherwise of the bohemian, beach-based, job-hopping life, but is that last actually a concern for the current tweenaged reader? Just as the parents seem to drift, losing touch with a permanent grounding, so has the narrative – and not even high drama when it comes makes you feel this is on an even keel. A brave misfire, I feel – two and a half stars being somewhat below the author's standard.

[P.P. Rahayu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storm Child
by Ele Fountain
4 out of 5 stars

Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review

One of the reasons I was interested in this book was the blurb. A thought-provoking novel about globalization? And on top of that, it’s a children’s book. What narrative is the author trying to convey, I wondered?

For Maya, living in Penrose is her whole life. She has supportive friends and the freedom to pursue her passion for surfing. Everything seems perfect until an incident involving her father’s boat turns her life upside down. With the mounting costs of living in Penrose, Maya’s parents decide to move across the world to a tropical country.

Maya struggles to understand her parents' decision. Although she’s pessimistic about the move, she convinces herself that they’re doing what’s best for her. Still, adjusting to a new life without her friends, while her parents are busy, leaves Maya feeling lonely and homesick.

The book is quite fast-paced, so it doesn’t take long to finish. Being a children’s or middle-grade novel, Ele Fountain delivers the story in a straightforward style, avoiding overly detailed descriptions that might bog down young readers.

What surprised me was Maya’s growth throughout the story. She starts as a hot-headed, overly critical, and somewhat insensitive girl, but by the end, she learns to voice her opinions and empathize with others’ struggles.

I also appreciated how the author subtly addressed developmentalist issues. It’s refreshing to see Maya realize that not every improvement—like the resort development in the story—has the same positive impact on everyone’s lives.

However, I felt the backstory of Kalani and Maya’s relationship with her Penrose friends could have been explored further. It makes me wonder if there are more stories to tell about them.

[Maja · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ele Fountain's writing is always hugely thought-provoking and Storm Child is no exception. It is a beautifully written tale with family and friendship firmly at its core but there is also a clear, honest environmental theme; the impact of human actions and its effects on the oceans and nature.

Blurb
Maya Penrose has saltwater running in her veins. She is the best surfer for miles, living a carefree life with her fisherman dad and Baker mum.
Maya's life is about to be upended. After her dad's fishing boat is ravaged by a relentless storm, Maya's parents make the decision to start over-by moving to a tropical island. But making a change doesn't always make a difference. Far from her friends and her quiet seaside home where she spent all her time surfing, Maya is swept away by a storm much larger than herself. As Maya begins to realise that paradise is not always what it seems, can she bring her family back home again?

Ele's writing is always a triumph. She writes in a way that makes the characters relatable.  It is clear that she understands the impact that life events can have particularly on young people and weaves her words to explore a range of themes whilst also managing to convey a message of hope.

Storm Child is more than a story about loss in a physical storm, it is about the inner turmoil that we all experience at times and how we manage to ride the storms of life. There is a strong sense of belonging in Storm Child and it is a must addition to the KS2 and KS3 book shelves.

Published by Pushkin Press, Storm Child is out now.
I was fortunate enough to be part of the blog tour for Storm Child and I am very grateful to Pushkin Press for a proof copy of the book to read in exchange for my honest review.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a relatively short novel coming in at 205 pages, it was also my first time reading this author.

An interesting story that had a lot of potential. It deals with serious subject matter in terms of financial problems within the home and a rash decision to relocate. For Maya, it’s a big change being separated from her friends, surfing and the only place she called home.

I am going to go against the general flow in my feelings for this book. Aside from the fact that I struggled with the formatting of my digital arc, but I don’t feel that I can blame that for how disjointed I felt the story was at times. I hope the final copy corrects the run-on of conversations in the same paragraph that left me confused as to who was talking.

However, within the story I was left wondering where it actually took place. I don't think I've every encountered a story, that wasn't fantasy and not know the location. It felt weird and actually took away from the story. Someone mentioned a jumper versus a jacket once, so I can assume it’s either Australia or England. Then the move 1000's of miles away to paradise, again location, location, location. It would’ve been nice to know where paradise was especially when there is talk of the sea, the waves and global changes.

The story itself was missing something more. Lots going on in terms of the move, loneliness, financial hardship, starting over, learning the lay of this new island (paradise), new jobs, lack of jobs, being secluded and more. All in 205 pages.

On the plus side, it does open up for discussion our responsibility to clean up after ourselves.

My thanks to Pushkin Children's Books for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

[Anjana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I missed a day into my longest streak of posting for a while and that had mentioned sliding off till I gave myself an arbitrary restart date. It has to be the status of a month to make any kind of sense so I begin again with a backlog of read books to review. I decided to start with a good one.


This is shorter than another book I read by the author ( Wild ), or it felt shorter. I like the style of the author’s works as books for kids or even pre teens. The situations have a serious gravity to them and the central character seems to have a solid head on their shoulders despite being a child – all this without being precocious.

Maya’s name is synonymous with the town she lives in. Being a Penrose meant something at some point but now between her parents they are unable to earn enough to keep their house from falling apart. A near-death experience pushes them out of their comfort zone to try a new location with warmer weather, but things don’t go according to plan.

Maya is not rude or combative, she waits and watches for the right moment to bring up the things she’s noticed and the ideas she has for change. I liked the simplicity of the narrative while not losing anything out to the struggles of the people in the book. Not all things are addressed, making it more believable since one child cannot resolve everyone’s issues. The concept of romance is light but present enough for readers who might want that additional angle.

I would definitely recommend this to my nieces!

I received an ARC thanks to Netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

[Farah G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storm Child is an easy read and a compelling story that deals with themes of friendship, dislocation, and the challenges of decision making and dealing with parental shortcomings.

Maya has a close group of friends and lives for surfing, so she is not keen when her parents propose a move to a tropical paradise for a new start. There, she has difficulty making friends, and in continuing her existing friendships long distance.

Eventually, she gets to know Kalani, a girl of a similar age in her new location. But their friendship is a bumpy ride - not least because Kalani is dealing with her own challenges.

Maya is a likeable and immensely relatable protagonist and this book will definitely appeal to the target age group. I really enjoyed reading it!

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Lisa Roppel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Storm Child is a medium paced middle grade novel that explores timely themes like climate change, This is the first Ele Fountain novel and I will definitely check out her other titles and recommend her to my middle grade students. The story was very relatable as well as engaging and suspenseful in places. She represents the thoughts and concerns of this age group very well.
I would recommend this book to 10-14 year olds and it would make a great addition to public, school and personal libraries a like.

Thank you Net Galley, Ele Fountain and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to preview Storm Child. The opinions shared are my own.

Storm Child is expected to be released Feb. 11, 2025.

[Joanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been a fan of the author for quite a while already. There is something just irresistible in her writing -- something gripping, relatable and beautiful without being poetic as in using a lot of flowery literary vocabulary. There is a briskness in her writing that is refreshing like a summer breeze.

This story takes a bit of time to build up but it has a message about over-tourism that is a relevant to the current generation. It is also a topic that I would love to discuss with my students. I will definitely use this in my classes in the future.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maya lives with her parts in a stately home on the coast with her mom and dad. The home has been passed down generations and Maya can’t imagine living anywhere else. When her dad's fishing boat sinks in a storm, her world is tipped upside down. Her parents decide they need to move to a pacific island 12 hours away from all of Maya’s friends. Is grass greener there, or the waves better for surfing?
The cover is beautiful!
Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for an ARC. #StormChild #NetGalley.

[Olivia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book, and I loved reading it. My favourite part was when Maya and Kalani were sailing together just before the storm. I think Kalani is amazing. Her character is done so well, and she is made with determination but a sense of responsibility. It all fits perfectly, and I highly recommend this to anyone who loves the ocean, sailing, and just a temptation towards the sea.

[Cat L · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read for the middle school aged kids. Slow start but great last quarter of the book.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Children’s family adventure story. Maya’s family are pressed financially. So they set off to a tropical island where prospects seem better. Maya’s first love is surfboarding and the sea. As Maya tries to settle in her new home she finds new friends and danger because the sea is not forgiving. Neither is Maya really at having been pulled from the life and friends she knew. But given time and perspective, families can sometimes work out what matters the most. Thank you to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Emma Hahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provides a safe space for those grieving the loss of a dream, and floundering around in the aftermath of their loss ✨

after a family accident, Mayas family is forced to make difficult financial decisions that lead to their moving thousands of miles away. She struggles with the loss of her friendships over the distance, and the instability their sudden move has on their family. As she is forced to reckon with her new situation, she is thrust into a new friendship that helps her, and her family, realize that bad luck and bad choices aren’t the same, and they have the choice of persevering even when things go wrong.

Why I rated it a four
✅dialogue was hard to follow between characters, I was confused multiple times
✅I never learned Mayas age, this seems important
✅ Maya herself was not a very compelling main character.
✅the locations of Penrose and Paradise were vague, I would have preferred a location to associate and create mental images of!
✅ I wanted more from her relationship with Tom, are they interested in each other? If he is so kind and close to her why did she never call him once when her family was gone, even though his gift to her was a major reason her family returned home?

Positive Elements:

✅ Maya is perceptive of the small changes she sees in her parents, their unease and the consequences of fheir rash decision making
✅ I liked Kalani as a character, that she is more reserved and hard to get to know but a truly deep and loyal heart
✅ I loved the beach growing up and still do, Maya and Kalani both have a connection to the sea and cherish its details beautifully.
✅ A larger theme of protecting your homeland, especially the effects of tourism on local ecology, and how it is driving our indigenous peoples.
✅ compelling storyline of how grief makes us make poor decisions sometimes as we are floundering around in the aftermath.


This ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Received as an ARC for review through NetGalley

[Kirsty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a surfer at heart (not in body - I am too much of a wimp for it) and loved this book as a result.