Sky Dancer

by Gill Lewis

Joe has always loved the moorlands above his home: the wildness, the freedom, the peace. But since his father died, everything has changed, and the moors are no longer a place of refuge. Now the whole community is divided over the fate of the hen harriers that nest up there in the heather - and Joe is stuck right in the middle, with a choice to make, and a huge secret to keep. Joe can't do what's right for everyone. But can he find the strength to fight for what he really believes in? Expert storyteller Gill Lewis presents a beautiful tale of loss, expectation, and change - with an important and thought-provoking environmental message.

Genres: Animals, Fiction, Childrens, Nature, Friendship, Family, Middle Grade

272 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2017

About the author

Before she could walk, Gill Lewis was discovered force-feeding bread to a sick hedgehog under the rose bushes. Now her stories reflect her passion for wild animals in wild places. She draws inspiration from many of the people she has had the fortune to meet during her work as a vet, both at home and abroad. Gill Lewis has a masters degree in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and won the 2009 course prize for most promising writer. Her first novel was snapped up for publication within hours of being offered to publishers. She lives in Somerset with her young family and a motley crew of pets. She writes from a shed in the garden, in the company of spiders.

Reviews

[Book Gannet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge Gill Lewis fan and have had a life-long passion for birds of prey, so when I saw that her latest book tackled the issue of hen harrier persecution in England, I was very excited to read it. This is a tricky subject, with passionate supporters on both sides, but I think Lewis did an excellent job of making her argument without too much preaching. And yet, it all made me feel unbearably sad – and this from a book with a hen harrier called Hope.

Joe is a conflicted boy. On the one hand he loves the moors and everything that moves across them, on the other his father spent his life managing the landscape for the benefit of red grouse. It was because of a hen harrier that his father ultimately died, and yet, Joe doesn’t think his father ever loved him and doesn’t really blame the bird for what happened. His brother is angry, his mother is working all hours and he’s largely left alone with all these emotions that he can’t quite work out, alienated from his friends and feeling persecuted by one teacher in particular. He’s grieving and confused and caught up in a conflict that doesn’t care about individuals and is only looking at the bigger picture. It makes Joe’s life a bit grim at times, yet there’s also wonder to be found.

The two sides of Joe’s life are beautifully presented in his friends, Ella and Araminta. Ella is new to the moors, she’s a city girl who doesn’t know a thing about the countryside, yet she’s also full of enthusiasm and love for the moors and hen harriers in particular. Araminta is an old friend, daughter of the landowner who employed Joe’s father. She’s rich and rather rude, but there’s more to her than her privileged upbringing and I loved seeing the three of them slowly come together over the issues they faced.

It would have been easy to have made this book an Us vs Them tale, with conservationists on one side and landowners on the other, one all good and the other all bad, but Joe is right in the middle of everything. He’s been brought up to revere the shooting, but he doesn’t always agree with it, and when he hears the arguments of his friends he does question things he thought he always knew.

The adults aren’t shown as entirely black and white either. In fact most of them are pretty murky. Araminta’s family are rich and entitled, but Joe’s conservationist teacher comes across as pretty uncaring towards him considering everything that’s happened. In fact the wider debate is only told in general terms, because this is a book about Joe and his grief and finding a way to a brighter future.

It’s another excellent read from this author, although the wide open ending left me sad because I wanted to know what Joe would do next. That aside, this is a perfect read for any animal loving readers – young and old – especially those with an interest in conservation. If you know any young readers like that, chances are they’ve already discovered Lewis’ books. If they haven’t, though, then a treasure trove awaits.

[16AdamsR · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say about this is that this particular book holds an extremely powerful message about conservation of not just the Hen Harrier, which is the main focus, but also about caring for the whole planet. As well as creating a good plot line, the author puts across a powerful message to the reader about how each and every one of us can do our bit to help, and I hope that other readers will inspired after reading it. I would definitely recommend reading it!

[Alison Duhan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Before starting this book, I’d never even heard of hen harriers. The story is told through the eyes of Joe, a gamekeeper’s son living on a grouse moor in England. The character arcs for Joe, his friends, and older brother are wonderfully developed throughout this story. Though fictional, the book has a strong factual backbone and highlights the importance of conservation efforts.

[Lucy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm moving between a 4 stars and 5 stars, not sure quite what I'm feeling yet.

[Eden Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never come across Gill Lewis before but am so glad I have now. Even for an adult, this was an absolutely gripping read. I devoured it greedily. I also learnt a lot - not just about hen harriers but about the whole British landscape. Not only will I be recommending this book to my Year 5 class of 9-10 year olds, I am also going to plan a whole scheme of work around it. I feel the learning would be useful not only from an environmental aspect, but also for children to enjoy a real page turner with characters you care about and a plot which is both sensitive and a joy to read. Best children’s book I have read for a long time. I say children loosely because I think pre- teens, teenagers, and adults would also enjoy.

[BookBairn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just really enjoy Gill Lewis's writing and will definitely read more from her. I loved the thought and research gone into portraying the two sides of the argument but also the way she carefully wove the story and characters so we were on the side of the birds! Really magical writing and another great male protagonist for young readers. Basically I want more nature fiction like this!

[Andrew Davies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Former veterinarian Gill Lewis' latest UKLA-nominated UKS2 tale handles the culling of wildlife, in particular hen harriers (a particularly rare bird of prey) in the South Pennine moorlands. Lewis cleverly weaves a variety of contrasting players into the story: ornithologist and local school teacher Adam Thorne, former townie and young animal lover Ella, the local grouse-shooting landowner's daughter Araminta, and our narrator Joe, son of the estate's late gamekeeper who died in tragic circumstances after imprisonment for culling a bird of prey illegally himself. Despite Lewis' obvious strong personal opinions revealed in her autobiographical postscript, the conflicting views about land management and field sports are presented deeply among the characters, providing plenty of opportunity for extensive classroom debate or writing in role. Perhaps Lewis sets up the discussion too well, as Ryan and Minty's subsequent reversals of heart seem rather sudden and unrealistic in the face of their entire life history on the moors, and undeniably, the ending is dissatisfying in respect of the amount of situations it leaves unresolved. This provides plenty of opportunity for pupils to write their own independent final chapter in the story, but I would be intrigued to ask Lewis her intentions in leaving the reader with so many questions unanswered about what happens next. Do Joe and Mum remain on the Moors? Can their differences with Thorne ever be reconciled? What of Minty and her conflict with her family? Nevertheless, the book is awash with beautiful description evocative of the rugged pennine countryside and it is easy to create a map of images in your mind of the moorland locations the author describes. Perhaps children could link with geography or art to illustrate the vivid natural environment in which the story so submerges its readers.

[Rebecca Wilkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is written from the perspective of Joe, who lives on moorlands with his mother and brother. From the very first pages, we learn that Joe’s father was a gamekeeper on the moors and recently died after time in prison for shooting a hen harrier. The story follows Joe as he grapples with his personal feelings towards maintaining the moors for the sake of grouse shooting and how he thinks his father would have wanted him to carry on as he had. This novel explores themes of friendship, farming, grief, loss, wilderness and human impact on the environment. It would be a really interesting text to explore with upper KS2, as long as it was appropriate to the class (there is lots of discussion of the father’s death and scattering ashes). This would open debate on whether we should maintain wild landscapes or leave them as nature intended. I really enjoyed reading this book and learnt a lot about issues of wildlife on the moors.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sky Dancer was an enjoyable read and I learnt a lot about grouse hunting, hen harriers and life on the moorlands. While I hated all the wildlife killings, I was pleased that Joe finally found the courage to stand up for what he believed in - the conservation of British wildlife before it was too late.

This novel was well-written and researched, with beautiful descriptions of the moors and their wildlife. The author gave Hope, the hen harrier chick Joe and his friends saved and raised after its mother was shot by Joe's older brother, a lovely personality, and I loved how Gill Lewis brought it to life.

Written for younger readers, Sky Dancer had sympathetic characters, a heartfelt message and lovely friendship bonds. A sweet story.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book more towards the end, as all the threads of the story were pulled together. It was emotionally charged and the pay- offs were carefully set up and plotted. Gill Lewis has researched her material well and the book serves as a powerful and informative reminder of how we must fight to protect our creatures and wilds. She recognizes that children have a particular affinity for animals and nature and that they are key players in the battle for our environment. She came to talk at my son's school and to spread the word. I liked the way her characters are so conflicted. I needed to know how they would find ways to heal. That's what kept me reading.

[Bookwormbev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another accomplished story from Gill Lewis, this time tackling the divisive topic of driven grouse shooting.
There’s plenty of action, and the characters and plot are very cleverly drawn to show that things are rarely as clear cut as they seem on the surface. It’s informative, and I learned all I need to know about the subject without feeling like I was being lectured. As with Gill’s other novels, I was immersed in the world she had created and found myself really caring, which is of course the point.
Recommended for anyone who loves animals and/or conservation, both children and adults alike.

[Paula Street · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written, easy to read, middle grade book. Our 9 year old has just discovered Gill Lewis and is working her way through all of the books by this author, and I am reading them alongside her, although she is a few books ahead of me. This one was very easy for me to read, and a great way for me to pass the time while feeling unwell and unable to concentrate on anything more challenging. Beautiful descriptions of the natural world in general and the moorlands of the South Pennines particular. Thoughtful depictions of the various issues around driven grouse shooting and upland ecosystems. Thoroughly recommended.

[Christina Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartfelt, heartbreaking, yet ultimately hopeful book. I absolutely loved it!
Joe is an incredibly sympathetic character, caught between what he has been taught to believe and the new evidence being presented to him and caught between family responsibilities and pressure from others. An important book for making us question why things are the way we are and making people realise that what we accept as the norm is in fact quite unusual and harmful.
Full review to come!
(Thank you to my lovely library for having a copy on their shelves!)
I will be seeking out more Gill Lewis after this :)

[Nia Talbot · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the fact that this book led me to question the British landscape and the effect that mismanagement of moorland has had a negative impact on wildlife. I must admit it’s not something I’ve given a lot of time to. The story was beautifully written and I felt for the main characters (especially Joe) although I would have like a bit more about how their lives were effected as the ending was very wide open.

[Sarah Lean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thought provoking novel of the likes of 'Kes' about a threatened bird of prey and the hunting community. Stunningly described landscape and great characters with difficult but understandable dilemmas about a subject that needs more exposure. What better way than through a children's novel to stir up those questions about wildlife which is often right under our noses (or, in this case, soaring above us) but often ignored. Stirs the emotions and raises great questions.

[Stanlee Uy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy and straightforward to read. Gets on with the story! You get a sense of the characters pretty quick and they’re all relatable. Quite surprised that this book managed to make me feel all sorts of emotions and has taught me a lot about nature (birds of prey and the nature we have in England)

Aside from doing literacy work, you can apply this book in Science, Art, History and Geography.

[Emily Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story that transports you to the rugged moorland of the south Pennines.

It follows the issues of driven grouse shooting and its impact on the endangered hen harrier population.

This tale reminds young people that they can be the change and protect Britain’s wild places.

[Ille · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was great, and I enjoyed every page of it. I like the way the main character Joe and his friends stood up for their beliefs in caring for the environment.
I found the book very inspiring, too.

[Joshua Southern · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt and charged, Sky Dancer is a powerful call to action to restore British wildlife before it's too late.

It maybe didn't take a couple of the story threads as far as I would have liked, but it definitely achieves its main goal with aplomb.

[Sunny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful story and yet it’s preachiness made it a little bit corny and predictable at times, but I suppose it’s main audience is children and as a result it would surely succeed in influencing them to care about the cause.

[Huck · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book, really pulls at the heart strings and almost forces you to turn the page.overall, an amazing book

[Seawood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to follow

[Alison Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good wee read that takes into account the topic of conservation and protection of the Hen Harriers.

[Therese Cawley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to deliver the conservation message. I'm not sure how realistic rewilding is, it might have consequences we can't predict and I love a heather moor.

[Barbara Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compelling. Gill Lewis is one of my favourite authors and she brings the landscape and its creatures to life.

[Tim Allman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compelling tale about standing up for what you believe, and about wildlife conservation, which explores some of the controversies around illegal persecution of wild birds in a fairly nuanced way.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sky Dancer was shortlisted in the 7-11 category of the UKLA Book Awards 2019.

Joe is a conflicted character with a choice to make. The community is divided over the fate of the hen harriers that nest on the moorlands and Joe is caught in the middle. The son of a games keeper who spent his life managing the moor to benefit the red grouse, Joe is caught between what he has been taught to believe and information that he learns.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Sky Dancer and found it to be a gripping read. The book is well written and it is evident when reading that Gill Lewis has researched the topic well. Many themes are covered within the book such as bereavement, relationship challenges and wildlife conflict. I would recommend Sky Dancer to children in Year 5 and 6.

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was right up my street! While it’s aimed at children, I still found it really interesting and I actually learned a lot about grouse hunting in the UK. It was really enjoyable to read, and made me remember how much I loved reading all of Gill Lewis’ other books when I was younger!

[Bethany Sawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn't picked up anything by Gill Lewis since we read Sky Hawk at uni, despite having several of her books on my TBR, with absolutely no excuses. As a child, I adored stories about animals so this appealed to my nine-year-old self immensely. Lewis delicately combines important issues (hen harrier hunting and grouse shooting, in this case) with interesting characters, I became attached to them all, including the animals. The description is gorgeous, taking me to places I have only ever thought fleetingly about, but now want to go and explore myself. I would love to use one of Gill Lewis's books in the classroom, to spark discussion as well as introducing an amazing writing model.