Atlas and Skye

by Emma Smith-Barton

A beautiful new middle-grade novel from Waterstones Prize shortlisted Emma Smith-Barton about the eternal power of friendship, memory and love.

Atlas's Grandpa is beginning to forget things. The end of stories, where he put things - and Atlas is worried that soon Grandpa will forget him, too. Mum says that will never happen, not really - but Atlas is determined to fix him.

Skye is forgetting things, too. Like how it feels to have her big sister around now she's left for uni, and the smell of her Grandma's perfume. She's never felt more lonely - until she meets Atlas, a new boy at school who needs her help.

Together Atlas and Skye set out to piece together the missing memories of Grandpa's past - and learn how to live with a future that feels uncertain.

Told in alternating verse and prose chapters between Atlas and Skye, this is a beautiful story about love, memory, and the power of learning to let go.

325 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 9, 2026

About the author

Emma Smith-Barton was born in South Wales to Pakistani parents. Growing up between cultures has heavily influenced her writing and she is especially interested in exploring themes of identity and belonging. Before writing, she taught in secondary schools for six years and is passionate about increasing awareness of mental health in young people. Her short stories have appeared in various publications such as Mslexia and The Bristol Short Story Prize 2016 anthology (under her pseudonym for adult fiction, Amna Khokher). The Million Pieces of Neena Gill is Emma's first novel for young adults.

Reviews

[J D LEWIS]

Arm bands for choppy waters

Had this story been read to me aged 7, I would have been captivated by its magic and inspired to bravery because someone "got me". Reading it at 77, it captures the "floating feathers" of a happy childhood and a lovely Nan.
The reader of any age has something of Atlas and Skye within them. This book will help all who read it stay buoyant as they negotiate deep waters.

[Oran Doyle]

This book was lovely. Alternating chapters with very distinct voices and page layouts that are really original. It dealt with the very important issue of Alzheimers and also other kinds of losses without being heavy-handed - it's all very readable and engaging for a young reader. It's charming and funny and moving. A great book.

[Christopher Galvin]

Atlas and Skye is a wonderful story about friendship, memories and the voices in our head that get in our own way. It deals with some heavy themes with kindness and honesty that is refreshing. The alternating verse and prose chapters were an inspired choice in telling the main characters stories. A compelling heart warming (and breaking) read.