Willow Bright's Secret Plot

by A. L. Tait

‘I feel her in the breeze that makes the dahlias bob, and in the scent of the roses ...’

After moving to the city from the country, Willow Bright feels like she’s lost her mum all over again—and landed on another planet. Her clothes are wrong, her taste in music is wrong, and even the food she eats is wrong.

But when Willow spots a pattern in a series of puzzling accidents and mishaps, she forms an unlikely friendship—and finds new purpose. Can Willow solve the mystery and find room to be herself along the way? Or will her plot to run home to the wide-open spaces and memories of her mum land Willow in even more trouble?

A middle-grade story about growing up, grief, finding your place in the world and the restorative benefits of nature.

Genres: Middle Grade, Friendship

187 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2025

Reviews

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

There's a dance teacher called Ms Patricia. I am taking it even if Allison didn't mean me.

Great story with all the connections to community we need to see in our lit for children. Willow is a great person.

[Bron Maxabella · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great read from start to finish (even though I aged out of the target audience eleventy-billion years ago). Willow is a believable, likeable character with depth and nuance. I would 100% have wanted to be her friend the minute I met her. The fact that the kids at Barrack Hill Public don't only emphasises how unpredictably heartless the school playground actually is. Lest we forget. My favourite character was the school front office lady, Mrs Mandile, followed by Willow and the delightful Mr B. I have questions about Aunt Cressida's parenting style and also whether an Uncle Cressida ever existed. But otherwise, what's not to love about this charming, clever story? Bravo AL on another compelling novel for the middle-grade reader (and their parents 🙋‍♀️). This is how you get kids to lose themselves in a book!

[Helen Farch · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first page I was a big fan of Willow Bright... a young girl dealing with the grief of losing her mother and the grief of having to leave the home she loved.

But Willow is not one to just do nothing... she has a plan... she is determined... and nothing is going to stop her returning home.

This is a beautiful new middle grade novel about grief, feeling displaced, finding friendship in unlikely places, being kind, and the healing power of nature.

Thanks to the Publisher for the review copy of this book.

[Suzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet story about a young country girl moving to the city and trying to find her place

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable story - quite a few surprises.