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Sofia, dziewczyna z kościanego domu
Przygoda, historia i magia – w nowej, pasjonującej powieści Kiran Millwood Hargrave dla młodych czytelników! Poznajcie Sofię, literacką siostrę Isabelli „z atramentu i gwiazd”.
„W ruinach dawnego klasztoru na przedmieściach Sieny pewna dziewczynka zbudziła się ze snu w kaplicy cmentarnej (…). Nad jej głową niczym lśniący baldachim zwisała girlanda ze złoconych paliczków stóp, w popękanych ścianach tkwiły zaś zęby, rozsiane jak gwiazdy na nocnym niebie.
Ale ona się nie bała. Ten budynek ze złotych kości był jej domem, a tego dnia przypadały jej dwunaste urodziny”.
Dla Sofii miał to być dzień wyjątkowy. Mama, która zazwyczaj spędzała godziny na misternym rzeźbieniu ozdób i pudełek z kości (a robiła to jak nikt inny!), obiecała, że tym razem będą świętowali jak należy, całą rodziną. Musi tylko ostatni raz wybrać się do miasta, a potem „koniec z tym”. Kiedy wróci, Sofia dostanie swoje wymarzone przyjęcie i podarunek o wiele cenniejszy – „prawdę”.
Jednak prawda nie miała zostać ujawniona… Tego dnia mama nie wróciła do kościanego domu, a Sofia i jej młodszy brat Ermin trafili do klasztornego sierocińca. Jedynym wyjściem była ucieczka.
Gdzie zaprowadzą dzieci labirynty podziemnych ulic włoskiego miasteczka znaczone śladem z kości i skrzeczeniem ptaków? Kim jest nowo poznany towarzysz ich podróży? Jakie tajemnice kryją wieże Sieny? I czy Sofia zobaczy jeszcze mamę?
Kolejna po Dziewczynce z atramentu i gwiazd oraz Wyspie na końcu świata mroczna i piękna opowieść pióra młodej brytyjskiej autorki zaprowadzi was tym razem do serca Włoch, na toskańskie wzgórza.
„W ruinach dawnego klasztoru na przedmieściach Sieny pewna dziewczynka zbudziła się ze snu w kaplicy cmentarnej (…). Nad jej głową niczym lśniący baldachim zwisała girlanda ze złoconych paliczków stóp, w popękanych ścianach tkwiły zaś zęby, rozsiane jak gwiazdy na nocnym niebie.
Ale ona się nie bała. Ten budynek ze złotych kości był jej domem, a tego dnia przypadały jej dwunaste urodziny”.
Dla Sofii miał to być dzień wyjątkowy. Mama, która zazwyczaj spędzała godziny na misternym rzeźbieniu ozdób i pudełek z kości (a robiła to jak nikt inny!), obiecała, że tym razem będą świętowali jak należy, całą rodziną. Musi tylko ostatni raz wybrać się do miasta, a potem „koniec z tym”. Kiedy wróci, Sofia dostanie swoje wymarzone przyjęcie i podarunek o wiele cenniejszy – „prawdę”.
Jednak prawda nie miała zostać ujawniona… Tego dnia mama nie wróciła do kościanego domu, a Sofia i jej młodszy brat Ermin trafili do klasztornego sierocińca. Jedynym wyjściem była ucieczka.
Gdzie zaprowadzą dzieci labirynty podziemnych ulic włoskiego miasteczka znaczone śladem z kości i skrzeczeniem ptaków? Kim jest nowo poznany towarzysz ich podróży? Jakie tajemnice kryją wieże Sieny? I czy Sofia zobaczy jeszcze mamę?
Kolejna po Dziewczynce z atramentu i gwiazd oraz Wyspie na końcu świata mroczna i piękna opowieść pióra młodej brytyjskiej autorki zaprowadzi was tym razem do serca Włoch, na toskańskie wzgórza.
293 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2020
37 people are currently reading
2548 people want to read
About the author
Kiran Millwood Hargrave
34 books2,606 followersKiran Millwood Hargrave is an award-winning writer whose work has been translated into over 30 languages and optioned for stage and screen. Almost Life, her third novel for adults, will be published by Picador (UK) and Summit (US) in March 2026.
Her debut adult novel The Mercies debuted at number one of the The Times bestseller list, was a top-ten Sunday Times bestseller, and was selected for the BBC Radio 2 Book Club and the Richard and Judy Summer Reads. It was a finalist for the prestigious Prix Femina in France, won a Betty Trask Award, and was called 'unquestionably the book of the 2018 London Book Fair' by The Bookseller. The Dance Tree was shortlisted for the HWA Gold Crown Award and picked for the BBC Two Between Two Covers Book Club, as well as Florence + the Machine's Between Two Books Book Club.
Between them, her children's books have won numerous awards including the Wainwright Prize, Children's Book of the Year at the British Book Awards, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Historical Association Young Quills Award, and the Blackwell's Children's Book of the Year. They have been shortlisted for the Kirkus Prize, the Barnes and Noble Award, Jhalak Prize, the Little Rebels Prize, the Branford Boase Award, the Blue Peter Best Story Award, Costa Children's Book Prize, Foyles' Children's Book of the Year, and thrice-longlisted for the Carnegie Award.
Kiran lives in Oxford with her husband, the artist Tom de Freston, their daughter, cats, and usually a litter of foster kittens.
Her debut adult novel The Mercies debuted at number one of the The Times bestseller list, was a top-ten Sunday Times bestseller, and was selected for the BBC Radio 2 Book Club and the Richard and Judy Summer Reads. It was a finalist for the prestigious Prix Femina in France, won a Betty Trask Award, and was called 'unquestionably the book of the 2018 London Book Fair' by The Bookseller. The Dance Tree was shortlisted for the HWA Gold Crown Award and picked for the BBC Two Between Two Covers Book Club, as well as Florence + the Machine's Between Two Books Book Club.
Between them, her children's books have won numerous awards including the Wainwright Prize, Children's Book of the Year at the British Book Awards, the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the Historical Association Young Quills Award, and the Blackwell's Children's Book of the Year. They have been shortlisted for the Kirkus Prize, the Barnes and Noble Award, Jhalak Prize, the Little Rebels Prize, the Branford Boase Award, the Blue Peter Best Story Award, Costa Children's Book Prize, Foyles' Children's Book of the Year, and thrice-longlisted for the Carnegie Award.
Kiran lives in Oxford with her husband, the artist Tom de Freston, their daughter, cats, and usually a litter of foster kittens.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
October 30, 2020
Another fantastic and beautifully written novel by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. This one follows siblings Sofia and Ermin in a historical Siena, where the Smallpox has taken the lives of so many in their town. Their mother is a talented bone-builder and rumoured healer, so when she is arrested, Sofia and Ermin get taken to an orphanage, thus beginning their adventures in reuniting with their mother.
Filled with gorgeous imagery of a historical town in Italy, this atmospheric middle grade was such a delight to read this spooky season. I was not expecting the level of creepiness behind it as children seem to vanish completely from the orphanage, building a mystery I wasn't anticipating going into this novel, but the pay-off is so great. There's one evil person behind it and I was shocked at the reveal, but what a fantastic reveal it was.
Sofia and Ermin are great protagonists to follow too and it's apparent the lengths they would go to for each other. I have a huge soft spot for Ghino too, a boy they end up meeting who ends up helping them on their journey. The very end made me smile so much! I wish I could see what happened next and spend a bit more time with these characters and this world, but alas, this was a perfect standalone.
If you're looking for a middle grade that's a little bit sinister, with the perfect touches of Gothic brilliance you can only get from genuinely talented writers, then look no further than A Secret of Birds & Bone.
Filled with gorgeous imagery of a historical town in Italy, this atmospheric middle grade was such a delight to read this spooky season. I was not expecting the level of creepiness behind it as children seem to vanish completely from the orphanage, building a mystery I wasn't anticipating going into this novel, but the pay-off is so great. There's one evil person behind it and I was shocked at the reveal, but what a fantastic reveal it was.
Sofia and Ermin are great protagonists to follow too and it's apparent the lengths they would go to for each other. I have a huge soft spot for Ghino too, a boy they end up meeting who ends up helping them on their journey. The very end made me smile so much! I wish I could see what happened next and spend a bit more time with these characters and this world, but alas, this was a perfect standalone.
If you're looking for a middle grade that's a little bit sinister, with the perfect touches of Gothic brilliance you can only get from genuinely talented writers, then look no further than A Secret of Birds & Bone.
October 31, 2020
Sofia has lived her whole life in the little charnel house made of bones, on the ground of the old monestry ruins surrounded by an olive grove. It's a sheltered life, but a wonderful one as Sofia and her brother Ermin have grown up without the worry of smallpox and droughts that have plauged the nearby city of Siena. They're only worry is their mother, Renata, who spends her days shut up in her workhouse manipulating bones into beautiful creations for the Duchessa. All this changes on Sofia's 12th birthday, when her mother leaves for city and doesn't return - forcing the brother and sister to follow the birds and the bones to find her.
Kiran Millwood-Hargrave's writing is always exquisite, and this is no exception, with beautiful descriptions of an Italian city bathed in sunlight and atmosphere. She also manages to create a wonderful familial dynamic in Ermin, Sofia, Renata and their orphaned pet crow Corvinth. They have a special bond, wrapped up in a lot of love, and are prepared to sacrifice anything and everything to keep them together. Sofia and Ermin are a great team, and when paired with street urchin Ghino their personalities all mix together well. Sister Rosa is also utterly ruthless and creepy - that fake smile was fooling no-one.
The plot itself is action packed, but falls a little short in the world building. For such a fascinating place, filled with magpies that seem to be controlled by soldiers, I wanted to know more about why these birds were here and how they were controlled. Are there different types of birds for different people? Why magpies? And why is Orsa so big? I also wanted a much more in-depth look into Renata's gift as a bone builder. It's seen as a very niche and unique talent, but we only see the end results of some of her work and never the crafting.
Overall a very well written children's book that offers a little something different. I just wanted that tiny bit more to hit the mark for me.
Kiran Millwood-Hargrave's writing is always exquisite, and this is no exception, with beautiful descriptions of an Italian city bathed in sunlight and atmosphere. She also manages to create a wonderful familial dynamic in Ermin, Sofia, Renata and their orphaned pet crow Corvinth. They have a special bond, wrapped up in a lot of love, and are prepared to sacrifice anything and everything to keep them together. Sofia and Ermin are a great team, and when paired with street urchin Ghino their personalities all mix together well. Sister Rosa is also utterly ruthless and creepy - that fake smile was fooling no-one.
The plot itself is action packed, but falls a little short in the world building. For such a fascinating place, filled with magpies that seem to be controlled by soldiers, I wanted to know more about why these birds were here and how they were controlled. Are there different types of birds for different people? Why magpies? And why is Orsa so big? I also wanted a much more in-depth look into Renata's gift as a bone builder. It's seen as a very niche and unique talent, but we only see the end results of some of her work and never the crafting.
Overall a very well written children's book that offers a little something different. I just wanted that tiny bit more to hit the mark for me.
November 1, 2020
this was such a lovely read! I thought it'd be a bit more spooky, but that's my own fault because I just saw 'bone' and assumed it'd be a bit spooky, but it's mostly about family, love and friendship, which it always lovely to read about in a middle-grade! also the main character lives in a house made of bones...so that's cool:)
July 30, 2025
This is a wonderful book for children or to read to one’s children. It’s a fairly quick read, and it’s just frightening enough to keep children interested without being truly traumatically frightening for them.. It’s an original fairytale in the truest sense. Nothing is romanized, and the danger facing the protagonists is severe. Two working class children, brother and sister, must cope with abandonment and with the constant threat of being hunted when their mother, an artist who weaves bone into amazing works, both decorative and functional, is abducted for her magic by an evil and vain noble woman. They must fight to find and rescue their mother.
I truly appreciated how unique and raw the magic discussed comes across. As I said, this is no Disney version of fairytales. It’s more traditional before they were whitewashed for modernity. Themes include abuse of privilege and power, parenting, family love, good overcoming evil, justice prevailing over greed.
I truly appreciated how unique and raw the magic discussed comes across. As I said, this is no Disney version of fairytales. It’s more traditional before they were whitewashed for modernity. Themes include abuse of privilege and power, parenting, family love, good overcoming evil, justice prevailing over greed.
November 16, 2022
This was a great read, although aimed at younger readers adults will enjoy it too. I got lost in it very quickly and enjoyed the story immensely. I would describe this as magical and enchanting. I aim to read more by this author soon.
February 26, 2022
4,5⭐
Przepięknie napisana, wciągająca, wspaniały klimat i silne postacie kobiece
(i absolutnie przepięknie wydana!)
Przepięknie napisana, wciągająca, wspaniały klimat i silne postacie kobiece
(i absolutnie przepięknie wydana!)
December 13, 2021
“In the grounds of a ruined monastery, on the outskirts of Siena, a girl awoke in a charnel house”
.
.
.
This was supposed to be my #lastnownext reads but has turned into more of a last, last and now having whizzed through The Secret of Birds and Bone last night. I read that first line and just carried on!
Sofia awakes with her feet cupped by a fire-warmed skull under a canopy of knuckle bones. Her mother is a bone-builder and healer. She creates boxes for holy relics and other precious items. When a commission takes a sinister turn, Sofia and her little brother Ermin are placed in the city orphanage run by the sinister Sister Rosa under the patronage of the mysterious Duchessa of Siena
This is a magical middle-grade read with gothic elements. If you (or your younger reader!) love puzzles, secret passageways, pet crows and the very worst of villains, then do pick this one up. Having read both Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s adult and YA fiction, I actually think that this curious little tale is my favourite although I would have liked to have learnt a little more about the wider world in which the story was set. One of the things I liked is that most of the characters are flawed in some way, but we see them learn, particularly about the power of forgiveness
.
.
.
This was supposed to be my #lastnownext reads but has turned into more of a last, last and now having whizzed through The Secret of Birds and Bone last night. I read that first line and just carried on!
Sofia awakes with her feet cupped by a fire-warmed skull under a canopy of knuckle bones. Her mother is a bone-builder and healer. She creates boxes for holy relics and other precious items. When a commission takes a sinister turn, Sofia and her little brother Ermin are placed in the city orphanage run by the sinister Sister Rosa under the patronage of the mysterious Duchessa of Siena
This is a magical middle-grade read with gothic elements. If you (or your younger reader!) love puzzles, secret passageways, pet crows and the very worst of villains, then do pick this one up. Having read both Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s adult and YA fiction, I actually think that this curious little tale is my favourite although I would have liked to have learnt a little more about the wider world in which the story was set. One of the things I liked is that most of the characters are flawed in some way, but we see them learn, particularly about the power of forgiveness
December 10, 2020
Sofia and Ermin's mother makes world class sculptures out of bone.. After receiving mysterious visitors one night, she doesn't return home the following day. Sofia and Ermin are take to the local orphanage run by Captiana Rosa. However, they both start to suspect all is not what it seems when children from the orphanage start to disappear through the night. Will they be able to save themselves and find their missing mother?
This is packed from start to finish with action and adventure. The writing style and descriptions were fantastic and this definitely kept you wanting to turn the pages throughout. The characters were great and children aged 8-12 will love this.
I only wish this was longer so we had more development of the story and got to understand the motivations of some of the characters better.
Kiran Millwood Hargrave is definitely a talented writer in both adult and children's fiction. I can't wait to see what they release next.
This is packed from start to finish with action and adventure. The writing style and descriptions were fantastic and this definitely kept you wanting to turn the pages throughout. The characters were great and children aged 8-12 will love this.
I only wish this was longer so we had more development of the story and got to understand the motivations of some of the characters better.
Kiran Millwood Hargrave is definitely a talented writer in both adult and children's fiction. I can't wait to see what they release next.
August 8, 2021
Absolutely stunning!
If you think pet crows, bone houses, underground tunnels, scary orphanages, clever children, brave girls and beautiful writing sound like a good time (and honestly, how could they not?) then this is a book for you.
If you think pet crows, bone houses, underground tunnels, scary orphanages, clever children, brave girls and beautiful writing sound like a good time (and honestly, how could they not?) then this is a book for you.
August 8, 2023
This had the same sort of magicalness The girl with ink and stars had and i really loved the bone and bird stuff in this book.
July 1, 2022
W poprzedniej recenzji pisałam, że książki autorki kocham całym sercem nie tylko za dzieciństwo, magię i wiarę, ale za realizm i ten moment, który towarzyszy mi podczas czytania, a jest, nim zapomnienie o otaczającej mnie rzeczywistości. Siedzisz w salonie i jesteś tak zaczyna, że nie słyszysz krzyczących dzieci, głośnych bajek w TV czy nawet szalejącej burzy za oknem, bo jesteś tylko Ty i książka „Sofia dziewczyna z kościanego domu”.
Autorka pisze w taki sposób, że już od pierwszej strony nie jesteś w stanie zapanować nad czytaniem i pochłaniasz rozdziały jak karabin maszynowy. Siła, jaka tkwi w rodzeństwie to jest moc, z jaką nikt nie ma szans oraz z jaką nikt nie powinien zadzierać. Przed wami Dwunastoletnia Sofia jej młodszy brat Ermin. Nie będzie spojlerem jak napisze ich mama wychodzi do miasta, i to miał być ostatni taki wypad, lecz nie wraca i nasi młodzi bohaterowie postanawiają iść i odnaleźć Ją. Od tego momentu zaczynają się przygody, o jakich nawet nie śnili w najczarniejszych snach, że mogą mieć miejsce. Idealnie opisuje drogę, jaką muszą przejść, żeby odnaleźć mamę.
Nie chce pisać co i jak, lecz będzie płacz, ucieczka, magia, niezrozumienie, zawiedzenie się. Jak znasz jakąś książkę autorki to wiesz, że potrafi stworzyć nieziemski klimat, a postacie są tak wykreowane, że oczami wyobraźni jesteś w stanie widzieć je oraz poczuć wszystko to, co otacza danego bohatera jak zimno, zapach lawendy, czy zapach kościanego domu. W całej tej drodze Sofia z Ermin spotkają też tych dobrych ludzi, którzy chcą dla nich jak najlepiej.
Jako mama jestem wrażliwsza, kiedy dzieciakom przytrafia się krzywda i patrząc na drogę, jaką pokonali, żeby ratować mamę zasługuje na aplauz. Kto zna lepiej mamę od własnych dzieci? Poznasz zawód, jaki wykonuje mama oraz będziesz pokonywał różne dziwnie idealnie sprecyzowane, wyżłobione w kości klucze do znalezienia odpowiedzi. Momentami przeżyjecie niezły rollercoaster emocjonalny i taki, że będziesz chciał/ła krzyczeć „Nie idź tam” „Zostaw to” itp.
Opisów książki jest pełno w internecie, więc polecam zajrzeć, a tym którzy nie czytają tego zapewniam, że nie zmarnujecie czasu poświęconego na tę książkę.
Autorka pisze w taki sposób, że już od pierwszej strony nie jesteś w stanie zapanować nad czytaniem i pochłaniasz rozdziały jak karabin maszynowy. Siła, jaka tkwi w rodzeństwie to jest moc, z jaką nikt nie ma szans oraz z jaką nikt nie powinien zadzierać. Przed wami Dwunastoletnia Sofia jej młodszy brat Ermin. Nie będzie spojlerem jak napisze ich mama wychodzi do miasta, i to miał być ostatni taki wypad, lecz nie wraca i nasi młodzi bohaterowie postanawiają iść i odnaleźć Ją. Od tego momentu zaczynają się przygody, o jakich nawet nie śnili w najczarniejszych snach, że mogą mieć miejsce. Idealnie opisuje drogę, jaką muszą przejść, żeby odnaleźć mamę.
Nie chce pisać co i jak, lecz będzie płacz, ucieczka, magia, niezrozumienie, zawiedzenie się. Jak znasz jakąś książkę autorki to wiesz, że potrafi stworzyć nieziemski klimat, a postacie są tak wykreowane, że oczami wyobraźni jesteś w stanie widzieć je oraz poczuć wszystko to, co otacza danego bohatera jak zimno, zapach lawendy, czy zapach kościanego domu. W całej tej drodze Sofia z Ermin spotkają też tych dobrych ludzi, którzy chcą dla nich jak najlepiej.
Jako mama jestem wrażliwsza, kiedy dzieciakom przytrafia się krzywda i patrząc na drogę, jaką pokonali, żeby ratować mamę zasługuje na aplauz. Kto zna lepiej mamę od własnych dzieci? Poznasz zawód, jaki wykonuje mama oraz będziesz pokonywał różne dziwnie idealnie sprecyzowane, wyżłobione w kości klucze do znalezienia odpowiedzi. Momentami przeżyjecie niezły rollercoaster emocjonalny i taki, że będziesz chciał/ła krzyczeć „Nie idź tam” „Zostaw to” itp.
Opisów książki jest pełno w internecie, więc polecam zajrzeć, a tym którzy nie czytają tego zapewniam, że nie zmarnujecie czasu poświęconego na tę książkę.
July 1, 2022
To było takie ciepłe i rodzinne
March 30, 2024
3,5 ⭐
Pióro Kiran do mnie przemawia. Czytałam jednocześnie "Podniebną Pieśń", też przeznaczoną dla dzieci, a jednak Sofia o wiele bardziej mnie wciągnęła. Zakończenie według mnie było super, szczęśliwe, ale też nie w 100%, Sofia zachowała się realistycznie.
Myślę, że z gatunku dla dzieci, książki tej autorki są bardzo dobre i mogą dawać rozrywkę nawet starszym czytelnikom/czkom.
Pióro Kiran do mnie przemawia. Czytałam jednocześnie "Podniebną Pieśń", też przeznaczoną dla dzieci, a jednak Sofia o wiele bardziej mnie wciągnęła. Zakończenie według mnie było super, szczęśliwe, ale też nie w 100%, Sofia zachowała się realistycznie.
Myślę, że z gatunku dla dzieci, książki tej autorki są bardzo dobre i mogą dawać rozrywkę nawet starszym czytelnikom/czkom.
September 19, 2024
magiczna
June 11, 2021
I’ve enjoyed so many of Kiran Millwood Hargrave books and A Secret of Birds & Bone is no exception. One of the things I enjoy so much is how the stories feel so alive as you read them. The worldbuilding and characters are vivid, and I never struggle to feel like I’m walking alongside the characters.
In A Secret of Birds & Bone especially you have so much to appreciate. The bone building ornaments and the house especially. It sounds magical and full of respect when given you have bones as the source it would easily fall under garish.
The story is engaging and it’s easy to read through this book in one sitting without realising the time passed. I was almost at the end before I knew it and never felt like anything was missing from the adventures.
I really enjoyed A Secret of Birds & Bone and would recommend it. It’s not my favourite book by the author, The Deathless Girls and The Island at the End of Everything hold those places but for different reasons. If you’ve not read any of Kiran Millwood Hargrave books before this is a good introduction to her writing but you really won’t be disappointed by any of her books.
In A Secret of Birds & Bone especially you have so much to appreciate. The bone building ornaments and the house especially. It sounds magical and full of respect when given you have bones as the source it would easily fall under garish.
The story is engaging and it’s easy to read through this book in one sitting without realising the time passed. I was almost at the end before I knew it and never felt like anything was missing from the adventures.
I really enjoyed A Secret of Birds & Bone and would recommend it. It’s not my favourite book by the author, The Deathless Girls and The Island at the End of Everything hold those places but for different reasons. If you’ve not read any of Kiran Millwood Hargrave books before this is a good introduction to her writing but you really won’t be disappointed by any of her books.
December 2, 2020
5 out of 5 stars
This is the authors latest middle grade fantasy book and boy does it pack a punch..
Sofia lives on the outside of the city of sienna with her mamma, little brother called Ermin and pet crow called Corvith. Her mother is a bone-binder famous for her keepsakes and charms. When mamma is arrested both children are sent to orphanage where Sofia finds a strength she didn’t know she had and meets a young boy who lives in the tunnels under the city.
I loved this book and loved the way that Sofia is so independent and fights for her little brother. Sofia wants to find her mamma and protect her family and others around us is so great. This book is exciting, magical and keeps you on your toes. Perfect for not just the middle grade age range but for older readers too.
This is the authors latest middle grade fantasy book and boy does it pack a punch..
Sofia lives on the outside of the city of sienna with her mamma, little brother called Ermin and pet crow called Corvith. Her mother is a bone-binder famous for her keepsakes and charms. When mamma is arrested both children are sent to orphanage where Sofia finds a strength she didn’t know she had and meets a young boy who lives in the tunnels under the city.
I loved this book and loved the way that Sofia is so independent and fights for her little brother. Sofia wants to find her mamma and protect her family and others around us is so great. This book is exciting, magical and keeps you on your toes. Perfect for not just the middle grade age range but for older readers too.
January 5, 2022
What a brilliant middle grade book! I’m so glad I kicked off 2022 by finishing this one! It has some great twists and turns and plots I couldn’t predict! A thrilling ride and my imagination was set wild on the beauty of bone building!! There are a lot of teaching moments throughout the book and I think everyone should give it a read! Kiran Milwood Hargrave is becoming one of my new favourite authors, I love her stories and her writing it has left me feeling a void in my heart both times I have finished her books!
January 8, 2025
3.5
A fun little time which is what I have come to expect from Millwood Hargrave's middle grade - these are books I think all ages can enjoy and the production of them with the illustrations is beautiful.
Not the most memorable story for me but I liked the setting a lot, and it was a fun little adventure. It had some darker elements like some of Millwood Hargrave's other middle grades, but I don't think would be too over the top for a younger audience.
A fun little time which is what I have come to expect from Millwood Hargrave's middle grade - these are books I think all ages can enjoy and the production of them with the illustrations is beautiful.
Not the most memorable story for me but I liked the setting a lot, and it was a fun little adventure. It had some darker elements like some of Millwood Hargrave's other middle grades, but I don't think would be too over the top for a younger audience.
October 26, 2020
Another beautifully woven story by Millwood Hargrave.
This reminded me so much of reading The House with Chicken Legs, with the story focusing on bone builders. Something that normally percieved as scary is wonderfully portrayed as normal, like the baba yagas.
Italy is a gorgeous atmospheric setting for the story and the characters are easily likable.
This reminded me so much of reading The House with Chicken Legs, with the story focusing on bone builders. Something that normally percieved as scary is wonderfully portrayed as normal, like the baba yagas.
Italy is a gorgeous atmospheric setting for the story and the characters are easily likable.
January 26, 2021
Just a little disappointed with the similarity in Hargraves books... I was craving originality and difference amongst her writing, but just wasn't satisfied. A fun read at the start but the end was skimmed 😕
October 6, 2020
I absolutely adore Kiran’s children’s books and this one is no different.. i can’t wait to read more from her
January 6, 2021
Cartoonish disfigured villain who commits mwahaha evil.
January 9, 2022
This author wrote one of my favourite books so had high hopes for this one. Sadly it wasn’t nearly as good and was really disappointing. It didn’t feel thought through and the plot was messy
Read
February 26, 2022can't decide about the stars yet, mam dziwna relacje z ta autorka na zasadzie "damn i love your ideas but not the way you use them"
August 20, 2023
This book was definitely aimed for a lower age range than what I usually read, and it was fast paced. Overall I enjoyed this book but it realistically is a 3 star book.
May 21, 2025
A historical adventure set in medieval (?) Italy, about the strength of family ties and strange talents. As always, Kiran Millwood Hargrave writes beautifully. A wonderful book to give to a child.
June 15, 2021
'Small things could change the world.'
A Secret of Birds & Bone is a beautifully crafted novel. Kiran Millwood Hargrave takes us on an adventure through historic Siena alongside siblings Sofia and Ermin, who only wish to be reunited with their mother after the city guards stole her away.
Hargrave's fantastical world of bone magic and avian 'familiars' is fascinating, and the plot is fast-paced and mysterious; it consistently turns in unexpected directions, and the allure of discovering the book's magical secrets had me truly gripped. However, the ending disappointed me slightly - it felt a little rushed, and I was mildly disappointed that a large part of it rests somewhat upon fortuitous convenience.
I love that the children are the main characters and heroes in this book, and that the adults are the villains. Older villains are a common theme in books where children are the protagonists, but Hargrave does an especially good job of using this to portray the virtue of children's innocence and the corrupting effect of power in adults. A Secret of Birds & Bone sends a message of hope for a new generation, and reminds the reader that it is wrong to selfishly value yourself above others.
Sofia and Ermin are strong, resilient, and clever. Their relationship is heartwarming, and Sofia (whose perspective we experience the story from) is relatable and authentic. Many of the other characters were intriguing, but this is where I felt that the length of the story fell short: they felt somewhat underdeveloped, and if the book had been longer their motives could have been made much clearer.
A Secret of Birds & Bone is overall an engaging and touching tale; an easy and fun read. My only wish was that I'd been able to learn more about the captivating world and characters that Hargrave has created!
A Secret of Birds & Bone is a beautifully crafted novel. Kiran Millwood Hargrave takes us on an adventure through historic Siena alongside siblings Sofia and Ermin, who only wish to be reunited with their mother after the city guards stole her away.
Hargrave's fantastical world of bone magic and avian 'familiars' is fascinating, and the plot is fast-paced and mysterious; it consistently turns in unexpected directions, and the allure of discovering the book's magical secrets had me truly gripped. However, the ending disappointed me slightly - it felt a little rushed, and I was mildly disappointed that a large part of it rests somewhat upon fortuitous convenience.
I love that the children are the main characters and heroes in this book, and that the adults are the villains. Older villains are a common theme in books where children are the protagonists, but Hargrave does an especially good job of using this to portray the virtue of children's innocence and the corrupting effect of power in adults. A Secret of Birds & Bone sends a message of hope for a new generation, and reminds the reader that it is wrong to selfishly value yourself above others.
Sofia and Ermin are strong, resilient, and clever. Their relationship is heartwarming, and Sofia (whose perspective we experience the story from) is relatable and authentic. Many of the other characters were intriguing, but this is where I felt that the length of the story fell short: they felt somewhat underdeveloped, and if the book had been longer their motives could have been made much clearer.
A Secret of Birds & Bone is overall an engaging and touching tale; an easy and fun read. My only wish was that I'd been able to learn more about the captivating world and characters that Hargrave has created!
February 21, 2022
"Sofia, dziewczyna z kościanego domu" to już kolejna książka Kiran Millwood Hargrave wydana w Polsce i tym razem również autorce udało się mnie totalnie oczarować. Podczas gdy "Dziewcyznka z atramentu i gwiazd" wabiła piękną oprawą graficzną i tematyką kartografii, "Wyspa na końcu świata" poruszała bardzo trudny temat i opowiadała o losach ludzi zarażonych trądem i zesłanych na odizolowaną wyspę, o tyle "Sofia, dziewczyna z kościanego domu" opowiada historię córki rzeźbiarki z kości, która wciąga już od pierwszych stron.
O ile poprzednie książki autorki były dla mnie przyjemnymi lekturami, o tyle "Sofia, dziewczyna z kościanego domu" totalnie mnie oczarowała. Przez tą historię po prostu płynęłam i z każdym rozdziałem byłam coraz bardziej zaintrygowana losami bohaterki. Sofia jest dziewczynką inteligentną i bardzo dobrą. Co się tyczy magii, w tym świecie przyjmuje ona wiele postaci. Mamy tutaj chciwość ludzką, która chce zaspokoić własne pragnienia niezależnie od kosztu, mamy temat ospy prawdziwej i epidemii, a także wiele innych mniej lub bardziej istotnych.
Książki Kiran Millwood Hargrave charakteryzują się tym, że są lekkie, przyjemne i można je czytać niezależnie od wieku, ale także przemycają wiele istotnych tematów i skłaniają do refleksji. Tak jest także i w tym przypadku i każdy wyniesie z historii coś innego. Można ją czytać naprawdę niezależnie od wieku, bo młodszy czytelnik dostrzeże głównie przygody małej, dzielnej dziewczynki, a już troszkę starszy nastolatek wyciągnie z lektury zdecydowanie więcej. Poważniejsze tematy są tutaj przedstawione w sposób bardzo przystępny, a po samą książkę mogą sięgać także starsi czytelnicy. Mi osobiście bardzo się podobała i na ten moment staje się moją ulubioną książką autorki.
O ile poprzednie książki autorki były dla mnie przyjemnymi lekturami, o tyle "Sofia, dziewczyna z kościanego domu" totalnie mnie oczarowała. Przez tą historię po prostu płynęłam i z każdym rozdziałem byłam coraz bardziej zaintrygowana losami bohaterki. Sofia jest dziewczynką inteligentną i bardzo dobrą. Co się tyczy magii, w tym świecie przyjmuje ona wiele postaci. Mamy tutaj chciwość ludzką, która chce zaspokoić własne pragnienia niezależnie od kosztu, mamy temat ospy prawdziwej i epidemii, a także wiele innych mniej lub bardziej istotnych.
Książki Kiran Millwood Hargrave charakteryzują się tym, że są lekkie, przyjemne i można je czytać niezależnie od wieku, ale także przemycają wiele istotnych tematów i skłaniają do refleksji. Tak jest także i w tym przypadku i każdy wyniesie z historii coś innego. Można ją czytać naprawdę niezależnie od wieku, bo młodszy czytelnik dostrzeże głównie przygody małej, dzielnej dziewczynki, a już troszkę starszy nastolatek wyciągnie z lektury zdecydowanie więcej. Poważniejsze tematy są tutaj przedstawione w sposób bardzo przystępny, a po samą książkę mogą sięgać także starsi czytelnicy. Mi osobiście bardzo się podobała i na ten moment staje się moją ulubioną książką autorki.
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