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Hannah Backwards
Hannah loves the familiar rhythm of her days—walking to school with her best friend Izzi, spending afternoons with Nana and Pop, and cozy weekends with her parents. When Nana gives her a special worry stone to bring calm in uncertain moments, Hannah tucks it safely in her pocket. But change is coming. First, her beloved teacher Mr. Spicer leaves. Then, the unthinkable—Izzi is moving away. As Hannah struggles with the idea of goodbye, her worry stone is always in her hand, but it can’t stop the storm of emotions building inside her. A moment of anger threatens to shatter everything they’ve shared, and Hannah is left to find a way to make things right. With courage, kindness, and the quiet strength of her worry stone, Hannah learns that endings are also beginnings—and that friendships, like the smoothest of stones, can be carried with us wherever we go. A heartfelt verse novel for younger readers, about friendship, change, and finding the courage to embrace new beginnings—even when goodbye feels impossible
96 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 2, 2025
There may be 4 months left of 2025, but I am calling it:
"Hannah Backwards" is the book of the year.
Hannah loves the familiar rhythm of her days—walking to school with her best friend Izzi, spending afternoons with Nana and Pop, and cozy weekends with her parents. When Nana gives her a special worry stone to bring calm in uncertain moments, Hannah tucks it safely in her pocket. But change is coming. First, her beloved teacher Mr. Spicer leaves. Then, the unthinkable—Izzi is moving away. As Hannah struggles with the idea of goodbye, her worry stone is always in her hand, but it can’t stop the storm of emotions building inside her. A moment of anger threatens to shatter everything they’ve shared, and Hannah is left to find a way to make things right. With courage, kindness, and the quiet strength of her worry stone, Hannah learns that endings are also beginnings—and that friendships, like the smoothest of stones, can be carried with us wherever we go.
The verse novel is a rare unicorn in the field of junior fiction, and "Hannah Backwards" by Kim Rackham Smyth, illustrated by Heidi Cooper Smith, and published by Riveted Press, is no exception; this book is an ode to courage, new beginnings, loneliness, self-identity, saying goodbye, anxiety, and coping through tough times. It is a stunning exploration of friendship with the most exquisitely-used language, and the most atmospheric illustrations, interior design and typography, creating an all-round pleasurable reading experience like no other. Tears welled in my eyes as I slowly turned the pages of this book, my fingertips lingering on smooth paper edges, desperately longing for the book to go on and on and on. When I finally closed the book, unable to linger over the spare text on each page any longer without my eyes going numb, I bit my lip and exhaled. 'Wow,' I thought. 'Wow. Wow. Wow.'
I think we can all use a little of Hannah in our lives.
Well done to author Kim Rackham and illustrator Heidi Cooper Smith for this tender balm of a book that struck the strings of my heart with sincere authenticity and care.
"Hannah Backwards" is my pick for my favourite book of the year. And the best news? A sequel is coming in 2026...
Thank you Riveted Press and Rowena Beresford for this review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
"Hannah Backwards" is the book of the year.
Hannah loves the familiar rhythm of her days—walking to school with her best friend Izzi, spending afternoons with Nana and Pop, and cozy weekends with her parents. When Nana gives her a special worry stone to bring calm in uncertain moments, Hannah tucks it safely in her pocket. But change is coming. First, her beloved teacher Mr. Spicer leaves. Then, the unthinkable—Izzi is moving away. As Hannah struggles with the idea of goodbye, her worry stone is always in her hand, but it can’t stop the storm of emotions building inside her. A moment of anger threatens to shatter everything they’ve shared, and Hannah is left to find a way to make things right. With courage, kindness, and the quiet strength of her worry stone, Hannah learns that endings are also beginnings—and that friendships, like the smoothest of stones, can be carried with us wherever we go.
The verse novel is a rare unicorn in the field of junior fiction, and "Hannah Backwards" by Kim Rackham Smyth, illustrated by Heidi Cooper Smith, and published by Riveted Press, is no exception; this book is an ode to courage, new beginnings, loneliness, self-identity, saying goodbye, anxiety, and coping through tough times. It is a stunning exploration of friendship with the most exquisitely-used language, and the most atmospheric illustrations, interior design and typography, creating an all-round pleasurable reading experience like no other. Tears welled in my eyes as I slowly turned the pages of this book, my fingertips lingering on smooth paper edges, desperately longing for the book to go on and on and on. When I finally closed the book, unable to linger over the spare text on each page any longer without my eyes going numb, I bit my lip and exhaled. 'Wow,' I thought. 'Wow. Wow. Wow.'
I think we can all use a little of Hannah in our lives.
Well done to author Kim Rackham and illustrator Heidi Cooper Smith for this tender balm of a book that struck the strings of my heart with sincere authenticity and care.
"Hannah Backwards" is my pick for my favourite book of the year. And the best news? A sequel is coming in 2026...
Thank you Riveted Press and Rowena Beresford for this review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
December 20, 2025
As the title suggests, the girl’s name is a palindrome.
Here is the verse novel for students in years 2/3/4, with friendship, inter-generational relationships and change/moving house as themes. Big themes and easily relatable.
Will children be drawn to this book? No. As a primary school teacher librarian I can assure you the cover and size of the book are unattractive to students. But will they like it once they read/share it? Absolutely.
Verse novels don’t leap of shelves - in my opinion. But, once I’ve read a good one I have no trouble putting them into the hands of keen readers.
This would make a great shared reading either with a family member or class.
Create artworks like those in the text, write letters or self-regulating activities (worry stones). So many great jumping-off points provided by the text.
Give this book to primary classroom teachers or, students aged +7 years old with a worry stone.
Read this book aloud. Share this book. Don’t let this little slip of a book slip down the bookcase, or get swallowed up on the library shelf.
Note to illustrator: the drawing of Mr Spicer looks like you time travelled to my 1984 classroom and perfectly captured Mr Boyd!
Here is the verse novel for students in years 2/3/4, with friendship, inter-generational relationships and change/moving house as themes. Big themes and easily relatable.
Will children be drawn to this book? No. As a primary school teacher librarian I can assure you the cover and size of the book are unattractive to students. But will they like it once they read/share it? Absolutely.
Verse novels don’t leap of shelves - in my opinion. But, once I’ve read a good one I have no trouble putting them into the hands of keen readers.
This would make a great shared reading either with a family member or class.
Create artworks like those in the text, write letters or self-regulating activities (worry stones). So many great jumping-off points provided by the text.
Give this book to primary classroom teachers or, students aged +7 years old with a worry stone.
Read this book aloud. Share this book. Don’t let this little slip of a book slip down the bookcase, or get swallowed up on the library shelf.
Note to illustrator: the drawing of Mr Spicer looks like you time travelled to my 1984 classroom and perfectly captured Mr Boyd!
November 15, 2025
I didn't really know what to expect from a verse novel.
Now I know!
I was not disappointed. Eyes glued to pages, I read this gem out loud to see how the words flowed. I experienced a range of emotions, from a joyful, feel-good spirit to the huh-huh-huh, pass me the tissues kind of feeling. I couldn't put this book down.
Hannah spelled backwards is Hannah, and bestie's name, Izzi, spelled backwards is Izzi. Not only do they have names that read the same when reversed, but this duo likes art and craft, and lip-sync to the same songs. They have been BFFs almost since the day they were born, but change is coming that will turn their worlds upside down. With themes of friendship, kindness, courage and change, 'Hannah Backwards' is a gorgeous poetic read.
Highly recommended Junior fiction.
A great classroom read-aloud.
Now I know!
I was not disappointed. Eyes glued to pages, I read this gem out loud to see how the words flowed. I experienced a range of emotions, from a joyful, feel-good spirit to the huh-huh-huh, pass me the tissues kind of feeling. I couldn't put this book down.
Hannah spelled backwards is Hannah, and bestie's name, Izzi, spelled backwards is Izzi. Not only do they have names that read the same when reversed, but this duo likes art and craft, and lip-sync to the same songs. They have been BFFs almost since the day they were born, but change is coming that will turn their worlds upside down. With themes of friendship, kindness, courage and change, 'Hannah Backwards' is a gorgeous poetic read.
Highly recommended Junior fiction.
A great classroom read-aloud.
March 14, 2026
What a delight if a story, written in verse and delving into a universal theme of change as seen through the eyes of a young girl.
Hannah is in Year 4 and her beloved teacher, Mr Spicer, has just announced he is leaving to take up a promotion in another school. His class are gutted but Mr Spicer is a true educator and he teaches his young charges how to best cope with this change.
Hannah then has to put this learning into practise again when her beloved BFF, Izzi, announces she is moving to the coast.
Beautifully and simply written, this is a wonderful story with a divine front cover.
Hannah is in Year 4 and her beloved teacher, Mr Spicer, has just announced he is leaving to take up a promotion in another school. His class are gutted but Mr Spicer is a true educator and he teaches his young charges how to best cope with this change.
Hannah then has to put this learning into practise again when her beloved BFF, Izzi, announces she is moving to the coast.
Beautifully and simply written, this is a wonderful story with a divine front cover.
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October 17, 2025A very sweet junior fiction novel in verse about navigating change. 6 Years+
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews