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Raven Winter
Ever since Billie’s kind and nature-loving dad went to prison, her life has lost its shine. And now, Mum’s new boyfriend has moved in and home is full of sharp-glass silences. Billie’s never felt more alone.
Until one day she discovers an injured young raven and in nursing him back to life, Billie finds friendship, hope and a letter that might bring her one step closer to reuniting with Dad.
Raven Winter is the story of friendship, family and the belief in a very special relationship with a young raven set against the beautiful and the wintery backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales.
Until one day she discovers an injured young raven and in nursing him back to life, Billie finds friendship, hope and a letter that might bring her one step closer to reuniting with Dad.
Raven Winter is the story of friendship, family and the belief in a very special relationship with a young raven set against the beautiful and the wintery backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales.
- GenresMiddle GradeContemporary
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 1, 2022
5 people are currently reading
109 people want to read
About the author
Susanna Bailey
12 books6 followersSue grew up in Northern England, close to purple moorland and long, silvery beaches. Books were her earliest friends. She learned the joy of ‘making things’ from her wonderfully creative mother, who was a great weaver of tales. She drew fabulous pictures to illustrate her ideas, and encouraged Sue to do the same. When small, Sue often made up stories and brought them to life, with paper people on cardboard theatre stages.
Sue has seen just how helpful stories – and animals – can be when children (and adults) are confused, sad, or afraid. She has learned about the healing power of nature; of wild, quiet, green spaces. Seven years ago, she decided to see if she could write about these things, and went to university to study creative writing. In 2016, Sue was awarded the Bath Spa University Undergraduate Prize for Writing for Young People. The following year, she graduated, with distinction, from Bath Spa’s wonderful MA Writing for Young People. Her MA Novel, Snow Foal, was shortlisted for the 2017 Joan Aiken Future Classics Prize, and given ‘honourary mention’ in the United Agents/Bath Spa University Prize for the same year.
Sue now lectures part-time in Creative Writing.
Sue has seen just how helpful stories – and animals – can be when children (and adults) are confused, sad, or afraid. She has learned about the healing power of nature; of wild, quiet, green spaces. Seven years ago, she decided to see if she could write about these things, and went to university to study creative writing. In 2016, Sue was awarded the Bath Spa University Undergraduate Prize for Writing for Young People. The following year, she graduated, with distinction, from Bath Spa’s wonderful MA Writing for Young People. Her MA Novel, Snow Foal, was shortlisted for the 2017 Joan Aiken Future Classics Prize, and given ‘honourary mention’ in the United Agents/Bath Spa University Prize for the same year.
Sue now lectures part-time in Creative Writing.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 14, 2024
this was soooo heavy, but i think such an important story and i hope the kids that find it need it! the prose here was really beautiful. never read a middle grade book that tackles these intense topics, and this one did it so well and didn’t sugar coat anything. also loved the info in the back on domestic abuse, so helpful for kids!
February 24, 2022
This book is a less interesting rip off of Dragon Skin by Karen Foxlee.
Characters: 1/5
Plot: 1.5/5
Setting: 3/5
Writing: 2/5
Overall: 2.5/5
I read Dragon Skin early on this year and I rated it five stars. Because that's exactly what it deserved. It was so compelling and beautiful and used so much imagery and imagination that I had to give it full stars. This book, however, copies the plot but leaves out the character development, heart-wrenching story and replaces the shy yet brave protagonist with a carbon copy that is so much more less interesting.
This is the first Susanna Bailey book that've read and I hope it will be the last.
The plot:
Girl, who has lost her dad, lives her mother who is changed because she gets into an abusive relationship with this guy. Girl is bullied at school and wishes she could have her 'normal' life back and maybe gain some friends. Girl finds creature and takes care of it and suddenly gains a happy ending.
Like I said, completely identical
But guess which one was published first? Hint; it's the one I rated higher.
Normally I don't have a problem with books hat have similar plots because humans don't have original ideas at all. Which is fine but I did say similar. This book straight up copies everything.
"Hey, can I copy your homework?"
"Sure, just don't make it too obvious."
Even though they have exactly the same plot, Dragon Skin was so much better. Why? Glad you asked:
- The main character is more believable. In a situation where you know that you will get hurt for saying anything out of turn; you wouldn't be having explosive anger fits. Or maybe you would but not in front of the people who would hurt you.
- Dragons are so much cooler than ravens. I don't really need to expand on that.
- The writing is better. In this book, a few sentences just don't make any grammatical sense. I'm not a native English speaker (I always grew up speaking both English and Portuguese and wasn't able to tell them apart until I was six) although even I know a few extra words should be added for the sentence to make sense.
- The issue of friendships and how they were handled. In Dragon Skin, Pip gains two new friends but their friendship is slow and believable but in Raven Winter, Billie and Nell's friendship was so forced.
- Dragon Skin had its own original plot.
Would not recommend, waste of money and the only good thing I can say is that the setting reminded me of my own childhood home. Only reason this is 2 and a half stars and not one.
Characters: 1/5
Plot: 1.5/5
Setting: 3/5
Writing: 2/5
Overall: 2.5/5
I read Dragon Skin early on this year and I rated it five stars. Because that's exactly what it deserved. It was so compelling and beautiful and used so much imagery and imagination that I had to give it full stars. This book, however, copies the plot but leaves out the character development, heart-wrenching story and replaces the shy yet brave protagonist with a carbon copy that is so much more less interesting.
This is the first Susanna Bailey book that've read and I hope it will be the last.
The plot:
Girl, who has lost her dad, lives her mother who is changed because she gets into an abusive relationship with this guy. Girl is bullied at school and wishes she could have her 'normal' life back and maybe gain some friends. Girl finds creature and takes care of it and suddenly gains a happy ending.
Like I said, completely identical
But guess which one was published first? Hint; it's the one I rated higher.
Normally I don't have a problem with books hat have similar plots because humans don't have original ideas at all. Which is fine but I did say similar. This book straight up copies everything.
"Hey, can I copy your homework?"
"Sure, just don't make it too obvious."
Even though they have exactly the same plot, Dragon Skin was so much better. Why? Glad you asked:
- The main character is more believable. In a situation where you know that you will get hurt for saying anything out of turn; you wouldn't be having explosive anger fits. Or maybe you would but not in front of the people who would hurt you.
- Dragons are so much cooler than ravens. I don't really need to expand on that.
- The writing is better. In this book, a few sentences just don't make any grammatical sense. I'm not a native English speaker (I always grew up speaking both English and Portuguese and wasn't able to tell them apart until I was six) although even I know a few extra words should be added for the sentence to make sense.
- The issue of friendships and how they were handled. In Dragon Skin, Pip gains two new friends but their friendship is slow and believable but in Raven Winter, Billie and Nell's friendship was so forced.
- Dragon Skin had its own original plot.
Would not recommend, waste of money and the only good thing I can say is that the setting reminded me of my own childhood home. Only reason this is 2 and a half stars and not one.
January 9, 2022
Oh how I have counted down to this!
I absolutely adored Otters’ Moon and Snow Foal by Susanna Bailey, so this was a much anticipated January release I knew would beat the Winter blues and warm my heart. And if that wasn’t enough, part of the story is set in the Yorkshire Dales! Forva Yorkshire girl like me, it was such a joy to read about Skipton, Grassington and Malham Cove.
Perfect for fans of Gill Lewis, Susanna’s books unpick challenging issues, whilst celebrating the great outdoors and the healing power of nature.
Raven Winter sensitively explores emotional abuse and touches on domestic violence. Billie’s kind and nature loving dad is in prison. Her mum’s new boyfriend has moved in and he is extremely controlling. From the food they eat to who they can see, he checks up on mum all the time. If things don’t go his way, storm clouds gather and what follows is raised voices and razor-sharp silences.
Billie and mum tip-toe around Daniel, walking on eggshells so as not to upset him and there were many times throughout the book I held my breath for Billie. We see Billie wrestle with her emotions, wondering whether to stay and protect mum or run away. So many children live through the horror of domestic and emotional abuse and the book gently urges anyone in Billie’s situation to speak to someone, whether it be a friend, teacher, or another trusted adult.
Dad’s letters suddenly stopped 8 months ago and since then…silence. No visiting orders, no nothing. Mum says she doesn’t know what’s going on with him, that prison’s changed him. But in her heart, Billie knows otherwise. He made a terrible mistake but she believes in her dad and knows he wouldn’t just give up on her. She’s desperate to find out what’s happened to him but with mum under Daniel’s terrifying hold, how will that be possible?
Frightened and alone, Billie discovers an injured young raven and through caring for him she finds friendship, hope and clues that might bring her closer to her dad. The connection between animals and humans in Susanna’s books is just wonderful and the tenderness, care, trust and understanding that is built.
Raven Winter was such a heartfelt and emotional read.
I absolutely adored Otters’ Moon and Snow Foal by Susanna Bailey, so this was a much anticipated January release I knew would beat the Winter blues and warm my heart. And if that wasn’t enough, part of the story is set in the Yorkshire Dales! Forva Yorkshire girl like me, it was such a joy to read about Skipton, Grassington and Malham Cove.
Perfect for fans of Gill Lewis, Susanna’s books unpick challenging issues, whilst celebrating the great outdoors and the healing power of nature.
Raven Winter sensitively explores emotional abuse and touches on domestic violence. Billie’s kind and nature loving dad is in prison. Her mum’s new boyfriend has moved in and he is extremely controlling. From the food they eat to who they can see, he checks up on mum all the time. If things don’t go his way, storm clouds gather and what follows is raised voices and razor-sharp silences.
Billie and mum tip-toe around Daniel, walking on eggshells so as not to upset him and there were many times throughout the book I held my breath for Billie. We see Billie wrestle with her emotions, wondering whether to stay and protect mum or run away. So many children live through the horror of domestic and emotional abuse and the book gently urges anyone in Billie’s situation to speak to someone, whether it be a friend, teacher, or another trusted adult.
Dad’s letters suddenly stopped 8 months ago and since then…silence. No visiting orders, no nothing. Mum says she doesn’t know what’s going on with him, that prison’s changed him. But in her heart, Billie knows otherwise. He made a terrible mistake but she believes in her dad and knows he wouldn’t just give up on her. She’s desperate to find out what’s happened to him but with mum under Daniel’s terrifying hold, how will that be possible?
Frightened and alone, Billie discovers an injured young raven and through caring for him she finds friendship, hope and clues that might bring her closer to her dad. The connection between animals and humans in Susanna’s books is just wonderful and the tenderness, care, trust and understanding that is built.
Raven Winter was such a heartfelt and emotional read.
February 5, 2022
Oh gosh… P’raps middle-grade kids will find their own lives in here, but will it make them wanna go to bed and never get up???
Stunning writing and grand narration? Can’t give 5-stars cuz MAN you or your kid will neeeed a hug afterwards.
My Full Review →
Stunning writing and grand narration? Can’t give 5-stars cuz MAN you or your kid will neeeed a hug afterwards.
My Full Review →
March 8, 2023
Billie lives with her Mam and her mother's partner, the brooding and temperamental Daniel, in a flat. They have recently moved there after Billie's father went to prison for fraud. Billie misses her Dad terribly, particularly the time they shared outdoors, birdwatching and enjoying nature, and cannot understand why her mother seems to have broken off contact with him and is now insisting that things are 'complicated' or that they need to 'move on'. Billie suspects this is all Daniel's work - her mother seems to be under his complete control and there is a suggestion of domestic violence. Billie, certainly, is afraid of him. Billie decides one day that she will run away and goes to an area of woodland that her mother has told her she must avoid. There she finds a young injured raven. She feels she cannot leave it alone to die and so decides to return home and conceal the bird in her room. She knows that she will incur Daniel's wrath if the creature were to be discovered. Billie makes one friend, local girl Nell, who also seems to be a bit of a loner. She tells Nell some of her troubles and decides eventually that she will go in search of her father, knowing that he must be due for release. This is a touching story about a child facing a challenging home environment, who finds comfort in nature and particularly with animals. As Billie goes in search of her Dad she is also trying to find her identity in a confusing world where things seem out of control. Aimed at 8-12 year olds this book does have a happy ending, but with sufficient mild peril that young readers will be kept engaged right to the end. I really enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to kids. It will encourage their empathic side as well as opening their eyes to lifestyles and circumstances that may be beyond their experience. For children with lives similar to Billie's there may be comfort in feeling that they are perhaps not the only ones and enable them to explore their own feelings.
December 9, 2022
Thought this book was written really well and your heart goes out to Billie in the current situation she is in at home and having to get used to such dramatic changes to her home life.
(Can I also say I think it is great that at the end of the book that there are supporting words to help children who are in a similar but real life situation to Billie and that resources are there for the reader to access should they need to)
Loved Susanna's writing and characters in this book, I felt they were written well and with a great level of compassion.
The plot to the book I loved, I won't pull it apart and spoil it for other readers this is a lovely read that can be done in a couple of sittings. Really enjoyed my first experience of Susanna Bailey's writing and hopefully it won't be my last
(Can I also say I think it is great that at the end of the book that there are supporting words to help children who are in a similar but real life situation to Billie and that resources are there for the reader to access should they need to)
Loved Susanna's writing and characters in this book, I felt they were written well and with a great level of compassion.
The plot to the book I loved, I won't pull it apart and spoil it for other readers this is a lovely read that can be done in a couple of sittings. Really enjoyed my first experience of Susanna Bailey's writing and hopefully it won't be my last
January 22, 2024
This was a beautifully written story about a young girl coming to terms with her father being in prison and her having to navigate a new situation at home, living with her mother's new partner. Even though the book touches upon some very serious subjects, the way the author does it feels almost like a magical realism, and I think it may resonate with a lot of kids who are in a similar situation.
Personally, I decided to read it because I'm really interested in ravens and I didn't know much about the plot beforehand, but I got an emotional, heartfelt read that I can recommend to younger readers.
Personally, I decided to read it because I'm really interested in ravens and I didn't know much about the plot beforehand, but I got an emotional, heartfelt read that I can recommend to younger readers.
November 30, 2023
Reviewing this as a 34 year-old adult.
An enchanting and beautiful book.
A gut-wrenching read too - seeing the impact of profound loss and domestic violence through a young girl's eyes.
But also full of hope and I loved Billie Blue's connection with nature and her relationship with the raven she finds.
This was exactly the sort of wintery, nature-themed story I was looking for.
I'm looking forward to reading some of Susanna's other books
An enchanting and beautiful book.
A gut-wrenching read too - seeing the impact of profound loss and domestic violence through a young girl's eyes.
But also full of hope and I loved Billie Blue's connection with nature and her relationship with the raven she finds.
This was exactly the sort of wintery, nature-themed story I was looking for.
I'm looking forward to reading some of Susanna's other books
December 4, 2024
This is an amazing middle grade book that follows Billie, a young girl that misses her father that went to jail. Her has moved on and is in a new relationship but Billie does not like the new man in her life and vows to find her father now that he is out of jail. With her new friend Bird, a raven that she nursed back to health, she set out on a journey. No Spoilers! I highly recommend this beautiful story.
February 7, 2022
A beautifully written story, I absolutely loved the secret garden mentions, it was just perfect, I felt emotional for the mc dealing with home issues and glad she found a friend and the fact that her mum hid the letters from her was just crazy. That Daniel isn’t nice at all. Just a beautiful book with one of my favourite birds & just heartwarming 🖤
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2023
Another strong story, saved from being an “issues” book by the inclusion of the injured raven Billie cares for and her connection to nature fostered by her currently incarcerated father. Her mum has an abusive new boyfriend - resources listed at the back for readers who might need some help in a similar situation. Love Nell and her Nan, Daniel not so much.
January 7, 2024
This middle grade was really sweet that dealt with a difficult subject in an accessible way that affects families, triggers for domestic abuse and a parent in prison. I liked the sweet relationship with the raven and Billie and the journey she goes on to reunite with her Dad. Don't read a lot of contemporary middle grades but this was really sweet.
January 9, 2022
I read both of Susanna Bailey’s books in very quick succession last year and have been eagerly awaiting something new from her, and Raven Winter was a lovely, lyrical middle contemporary to enjoy as well. It’s the story of a girl named Billie, whose father has been sent to prison and whose mother has gotten a new boyfriend named Daniel, who is abusive to both her and Billie. She finds an injured raven in the woods, and despite the danger it puts her in, she takes him home to care for him whilst also trying to find a way to escape and find her dad, who she shared a really special relationship with. My heart honestly broke for Billie at so many points of this book, but I loved the hope and slice of happiness that Bird brought into her life, and as ever, I just love stories about animal/human bonds. Nell was such a good friend to Billie too, especially given their slightly rocky beginning, and I loved her gran a great deal too. The writing style is just as beautiful as you’d expect if you’ve read Susanna’s other books, and I love the slightly literary quality it has to it. I’m now back in the same position of being very excited to see what this author does next!
December 16, 2023
I found this book on the marked down shelf in my local book store and convinced my mom to buy it for me because it was really cheap. This was one of the best choices this year. I read it non-stop for a week and loved every moment. Bailey really made me connect with the characters. Great book!
April 7, 2023
Audio. Lovely tale of courage.
December 24, 2023
This book made me both lose and gain faith in humanity. I definitely want to read more of Baily's works!
August 25, 2024
A very heartwarming book. Even though It is set in the depths of winter it was a book that made me think it was summer/ autumn. Overall I really enjoyed this book and would highly recommend
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews