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A Flash of Fireflies
A magical middle grade book about family, friendship and finding your place, with a delicate touch of magic. Perfect for 10-12 year olds and fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Michelle Harrison and Kiran Millwood-Hargrave and The Girl Who Speaks Bear.
Hazel’s new life in England should have been the stuff of fairy tales; after all her aunt’s cottage looked just like a gingerbread house, with a magical garden and whispering fireflies promising quests and adventures.
But as Hazel struggles to deal with the challenges of the everyday world – making friends, missing her family – she also learns that every fairy tale has a dark side. And there are terrifying creatures that lurk in the shadows . . .
Hazel’s new life in England should have been the stuff of fairy tales; after all her aunt’s cottage looked just like a gingerbread house, with a magical garden and whispering fireflies promising quests and adventures.
But as Hazel struggles to deal with the challenges of the everyday world – making friends, missing her family – she also learns that every fairy tale has a dark side. And there are terrifying creatures that lurk in the shadows . . .
256 pages, Paperback
First published June 9, 2022
5 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Aisha Bushby
21 books46 followersAisha Bushby was selected as one of only four previously unpublished authors in the Stripes anthology for BAME writers, A Change is Gonna Come, alongside writers such as Patrice Lawrence, Tanya Byrne and Nikesh Shukla. The anthology was awarded a YA Book Prize Special Achievement Award. Since then she has been taking part in panels, interviews and events across the UK, from Bristol Waterstones to Manchester Academy, Birmingham Literature Festival to Southbank YALW, BBC Radio 3 to Buzzfeed. A Pocketful of Stars is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
July 3, 2022
"I know now that the fireflies mean what they say, and if I don't complete their quest my deepest, darkest fear will come true."
This is perhaps quite a timely novel for younger people, as it deals with mental health. Hazel, a 12 year-old, is moving to England from Kuwait. Before her parents are able to join her, she is going to stay with her great-aunt. Hazel is understandably unsure about this change, and so she has to battle with her feelings and her fears. There is a lot to get used to; a new school, trying to make new friends, a relative that she doesn't really know but has to share a house with, as well as a new country. But she also has to deal with the visits from the fireflies, which seem to make her complete a task, or quest, before they let her go.
This short novel handles the subject of mental health quite well. At first, you possibly won't understand what is going on, or just what the fireflies represent. But Hazel's feelings, and thoughts, are handled well by Bushby.
Aside from the element of mental health, I also loved the inclusion of fairy tales. Hazel studies the themes, characters and tropes of fairy tales during her time at summer school, and I think this was an interesting way to bring life to the anxieties that she was going through.
A quick, easy read. I would recommend it to others.
This is perhaps quite a timely novel for younger people, as it deals with mental health. Hazel, a 12 year-old, is moving to England from Kuwait. Before her parents are able to join her, she is going to stay with her great-aunt. Hazel is understandably unsure about this change, and so she has to battle with her feelings and her fears. There is a lot to get used to; a new school, trying to make new friends, a relative that she doesn't really know but has to share a house with, as well as a new country. But she also has to deal with the visits from the fireflies, which seem to make her complete a task, or quest, before they let her go.
This short novel handles the subject of mental health quite well. At first, you possibly won't understand what is going on, or just what the fireflies represent. But Hazel's feelings, and thoughts, are handled well by Bushby.
Aside from the element of mental health, I also loved the inclusion of fairy tales. Hazel studies the themes, characters and tropes of fairy tales during her time at summer school, and I think this was an interesting way to bring life to the anxieties that she was going through.
A quick, easy read. I would recommend it to others.
September 22, 2022
I think Aisha is one of the most accomplished children’s authors of our time, creating fantastical stories with a deep emotional honesty with the reader.
And A Flash of Fireflies might be her best yet, and really reminds me of a lot of what I loved about her debut A Pocketful of Stars.
A Flash of Fireflies follows Hazel from Kuwait to her new life in a cottage in England with her great aunt, but as she struggles to adjust with the changes and missing her old life (and her parents who promise they’ll follow soon), she discovers the terrifying creatures in the shadows. Soon Hazel is drawn into mystical woods trying to complete enough tasks to prevent bad things from happening.
I am keeping this all purposefully vague because there’s so much cleverly layered that I want to encourage readers to go out and get it, and explore the story without too much knowledge beforehand.
I read this book half on audio and half on paperback, as I quite literally couldn’t put it down. This is a fantastical exploration of OCD and mental illness, written in such a thoughtful and thought-provoking manner.
Tremendous heart, honest, creeping and brilliant; a must read!
And A Flash of Fireflies might be her best yet, and really reminds me of a lot of what I loved about her debut A Pocketful of Stars.
A Flash of Fireflies follows Hazel from Kuwait to her new life in a cottage in England with her great aunt, but as she struggles to adjust with the changes and missing her old life (and her parents who promise they’ll follow soon), she discovers the terrifying creatures in the shadows. Soon Hazel is drawn into mystical woods trying to complete enough tasks to prevent bad things from happening.
I am keeping this all purposefully vague because there’s so much cleverly layered that I want to encourage readers to go out and get it, and explore the story without too much knowledge beforehand.
I read this book half on audio and half on paperback, as I quite literally couldn’t put it down. This is a fantastical exploration of OCD and mental illness, written in such a thoughtful and thought-provoking manner.
Tremendous heart, honest, creeping and brilliant; a must read!
June 24, 2022
A Flash of Fireflies is a middle grade or 9-12 years reading age story. It focuses on Hazel who is moving to England from Kuwait. She is sent on ahead of her parents to begin living with an eccentric aunt.
Hazel is visited by three Fireflies who lead her on adventures in a fantasy world. In the real world Hazel starts summer school and makes new friends in her English class where they are studying fairy tales.
I thought the story was a good mix of fantasy and real life issues. The snippets about Kuwait and how Hazel saw England were skillfully written into the narrative. The story also deals with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) in both child and adult forms and how it can be recognised and talked about. It was introduced with sensitivity and I never felt like it was a lesson; it was just a part of Hazel’s everyday life. A good story and I would be happy to recommend it.
Hazel is visited by three Fireflies who lead her on adventures in a fantasy world. In the real world Hazel starts summer school and makes new friends in her English class where they are studying fairy tales.
I thought the story was a good mix of fantasy and real life issues. The snippets about Kuwait and how Hazel saw England were skillfully written into the narrative. The story also deals with OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) in both child and adult forms and how it can be recognised and talked about. It was introduced with sensitivity and I never felt like it was a lesson; it was just a part of Hazel’s everyday life. A good story and I would be happy to recommend it.
April 5, 2022
A fascinating glimpse into OCD lived through a mesmerising fairy tale quest. Touching, eerie and magical, this is a tale about battling the demons inside ourselves.
August 4, 2022
This was a great read. We follow Hazel, who at the beginning of the book moves over to England from Kuwait at the start of the summer holidays. She spends those weeks with her Great Aunt - a woman she's never met - as her parents pack away their old life to move over for good.
Hazel is confronted by three fireflies, who drag her into a magical world and force her to do tasks for them more and more often. As you read the book you're not sure if it's actually happening, or if it's a metaphor for her mental health deteriorating. I thought it was a really interesting way to talk about mental health - specifically OCD - so younger readers can more easily understand the bad magical things happening, rather than the author trying to explain compulsive thoughts in a realistic, real world way.
The world building takes inspiration from a bunch of fairy tales - a subject that Hazel is learning more about in summer school, so the more she learns about the villains and tropes of the tales, the more these things turn up in her own world.
It's not all doom and gloom though, there's a great friendship blooming in here between Hazel and fellow summer schooler Ruby, the interactions between Hazel and her 'Grant' (great aunt) weave a mysterious and intriguing tale and the summer school aspect is fun.
Hazel is confronted by three fireflies, who drag her into a magical world and force her to do tasks for them more and more often. As you read the book you're not sure if it's actually happening, or if it's a metaphor for her mental health deteriorating. I thought it was a really interesting way to talk about mental health - specifically OCD - so younger readers can more easily understand the bad magical things happening, rather than the author trying to explain compulsive thoughts in a realistic, real world way.
The world building takes inspiration from a bunch of fairy tales - a subject that Hazel is learning more about in summer school, so the more she learns about the villains and tropes of the tales, the more these things turn up in her own world.
It's not all doom and gloom though, there's a great friendship blooming in here between Hazel and fellow summer schooler Ruby, the interactions between Hazel and her 'Grant' (great aunt) weave a mysterious and intriguing tale and the summer school aspect is fun.
May 30, 2022
Aisha does it again. This is a bloomin wonder of fears, friendships, secrets and fairytales. I adored this from the very first page and I think this is going to be a big hit. Hazel and Grant are just wonderful characters! I loved the incorporation of messages around OCD and fear.
November 17, 2023
CW: OCD, anxiety, panic attacks
May 30, 2022
At first I was a little unsure about this book, as it wasn't clear if it was a fantasy or a delusion that Hazel was having, and it left me feeling a bit confused. However, I soon realised what Hazel was seeing was a manifestation of her OCD, which was undiagnosed, therefore she didn't know that they weren't really real. Once I realised this, the whole book was brought into focus, and I enjoyed it much more.
the whole journey hazel goes on to try and overcome her OCD aka the fireflies that keep getting her to do harder and more dangerous tasks, is a wonderful read, but tragic to know that people have to go through such things every day, sometimes thinking there is something seriously wrong with them, or thinking they are insane, or thinking it's perfectly normal and the rest of the world is wrong, when really they need someone to take their hand, explain it and help them through it all.
the author takes time at the end to discuss their own problems with OCD and provide resources that may aid those who are in need of a little help.
what i think could be extra great about this book is that some kid, who may have similar issues to Hazel but doesn't want to tell anyone because they are scared, may realise that they can find someone to talk to. I feel like it could really help a lot of kids.
and i apologise if my wording in discussing OCD is incorrect or negative, I dont intend it that way, but I'm not very well versed on the condition and mean no offence.
overall this is a really good book, even if it took me a while to realise what was going on. The fairytale aspects really grabbed me and hooked me. And it was wonderful that Hazel made a friend who stuck by her, even once she told her about the things she saw, and she tried to help her as best she could.
the whole journey hazel goes on to try and overcome her OCD aka the fireflies that keep getting her to do harder and more dangerous tasks, is a wonderful read, but tragic to know that people have to go through such things every day, sometimes thinking there is something seriously wrong with them, or thinking they are insane, or thinking it's perfectly normal and the rest of the world is wrong, when really they need someone to take their hand, explain it and help them through it all.
the author takes time at the end to discuss their own problems with OCD and provide resources that may aid those who are in need of a little help.
what i think could be extra great about this book is that some kid, who may have similar issues to Hazel but doesn't want to tell anyone because they are scared, may realise that they can find someone to talk to. I feel like it could really help a lot of kids.
and i apologise if my wording in discussing OCD is incorrect or negative, I dont intend it that way, but I'm not very well versed on the condition and mean no offence.
overall this is a really good book, even if it took me a while to realise what was going on. The fairytale aspects really grabbed me and hooked me. And it was wonderful that Hazel made a friend who stuck by her, even once she told her about the things she saw, and she tried to help her as best she could.
June 29, 2022
'Adventures sound rather exciting, I know. Most stories will tell you to seek them. But the sorts of adventures I went on were bothersome, repetitive and exhausting.'
In this story, Hazel moves to England from Kuwait, which triggers visits from ominous fireflies that come when she experiences anxiety. At the same time she is learning about fairytales at summer school. They are so much like her firefly adventures that Hazel suspects she may be in a fairytale and she needs to find a way out...
Hazel's real life and fairytale lore merge and mingle with each other so cleverly in this book. And, although described using fantasy elements, I can relate to the call, compulsion and frustration of following the fireflies, as well as the need to stand up to them, as a fellow sufferer of OCD. Their tasks are such a unique and yet relatable way of describing it.
This story reads like a eerie fairytale itself, whilst exploring fairytales, illness and illusion. It is expertly done, and Aisha is talented at using imagery.
In this story, Hazel moves to England from Kuwait, which triggers visits from ominous fireflies that come when she experiences anxiety. At the same time she is learning about fairytales at summer school. They are so much like her firefly adventures that Hazel suspects she may be in a fairytale and she needs to find a way out...
Hazel's real life and fairytale lore merge and mingle with each other so cleverly in this book. And, although described using fantasy elements, I can relate to the call, compulsion and frustration of following the fireflies, as well as the need to stand up to them, as a fellow sufferer of OCD. Their tasks are such a unique and yet relatable way of describing it.
This story reads like a eerie fairytale itself, whilst exploring fairytales, illness and illusion. It is expertly done, and Aisha is talented at using imagery.
November 27, 2022
Every now and then in this book there is a sentence that just enchants and whisks you away with its beautiful imagery.
The book as a whole is an interesting take on obsessive compulsive disorder through the lense of a modern fairy tale. My only issue with it is that I wanted more concrete information on just how metaphorical the magical stuff was, as it is unclear if any of it was real. Even when outside characters witness things, we never get to know what they actually saw for certain. I realise this is kind of the point, but it just didn't satisfy me. Is it entirely a metaphor for her OCD, or is it a real magical land that is using her OCD as like a power source or something? I still enjoyed it, I'd just personally have liked more clarification.
It gave me Pan's Labyrinth (but child friendly) vibes which was cool and, as I mentioned before, Aisha Bushby has a wonderful way with words, so I do recommend giving it a go if you're interested :)
The book as a whole is an interesting take on obsessive compulsive disorder through the lense of a modern fairy tale. My only issue with it is that I wanted more concrete information on just how metaphorical the magical stuff was, as it is unclear if any of it was real. Even when outside characters witness things, we never get to know what they actually saw for certain. I realise this is kind of the point, but it just didn't satisfy me. Is it entirely a metaphor for her OCD, or is it a real magical land that is using her OCD as like a power source or something? I still enjoyed it, I'd just personally have liked more clarification.
It gave me Pan's Labyrinth (but child friendly) vibes which was cool and, as I mentioned before, Aisha Bushby has a wonderful way with words, so I do recommend giving it a go if you're interested :)
May 15, 2024
I knew before reading it that it was about a girl with OCD, but even knowing that the fireflies were a manifestation of that, I still didn't know quite what to make of the fairy tale aspect. I thought it would give me an idea what it was like to have OCD, and while it no doubt does in terms of the emotions, I felt like I'd have understood better what it was like overall from a more realistic depiction. And sometimes it seemed like the symbolism was overdone and might have been more effective if there were a little less of it. It was an interesting way of combining a person's interior life with school lessons on fairy tales and biology, and a reasonably interesting story, but it didn't really capture me the way it clearly has other readers.
May 3, 2024
*4.5 stars
This was a really well told, intriguing fairytale rooted solidly in real life and a girl's real worries (her fairytale being a manifestation of her OCD). It was both creepy and hopeful. I loved the challenge the book presents to rethink tropes in fairytales (such as why witches are usually portrayed as bad), and although some of this is done through the summer school teacher, it's in a gentle, natural way, not hitting us over the heads with it. I also like that it doesn't present a magical happy-ever-after (another trope challenged!) fix to Hazel's struggles, because life and mental health conditions aren't always like that.
This was a really well told, intriguing fairytale rooted solidly in real life and a girl's real worries (her fairytale being a manifestation of her OCD). It was both creepy and hopeful. I loved the challenge the book presents to rethink tropes in fairytales (such as why witches are usually portrayed as bad), and although some of this is done through the summer school teacher, it's in a gentle, natural way, not hitting us over the heads with it. I also like that it doesn't present a magical happy-ever-after (another trope challenged!) fix to Hazel's struggles, because life and mental health conditions aren't always like that.
December 29, 2022
A beautiful book. Very special indeed. Aisha has the rare gift of merging lyrical writing and magical worlds with very real contemporary issues and the protagonist’s inner world. It felt utterly real and described what it’s like to have OCD so perfectly that I, a 37 year old woman who hasn’t suffered with it for 20 years, had a proper little cry. I wish I’d had this as a kid. Bravo.
July 22, 2025
Some parts a just didn't seem to click with at all, it was a nice audiobook to listen to I just feel bad that a couldn't full click with it.
The plot was good and the characters were good too.
Will keep my eyes open for more books by this author and will definately try to read this or listen to it again in the future.
The plot was good and the characters were good too.
Will keep my eyes open for more books by this author and will definately try to read this or listen to it again in the future.
October 3, 2024
I enjoyed this book, which is fantasy, but deals with the real problems of self harm and anxiety in a way that middle grade children will find helpful, not alarming. A great read to have on your shelves to help children understand what they feel, through the medium of fantasy.
July 26, 2022
An interesting story, well written and engaging, recommended, iam looking forward to future books from this author
March 22, 2023
Aaaaaah, this book was so good!!
August 7, 2023
It was good, good, good. You are not alone.
December 18, 2023
I was hoping for a fairytale but it was a book about mental health. Most of the fairytale elements were the girl’s delusions.
May 28, 2024
Fairytales, friendship, mental health, a lady of a certain age, immigration…sooo many layers to this well crafted tale. Oh, and a bunny
September 16, 2024
this was such a sweet story explaining what growing up with OCD can be like to younger audiences
July 17, 2025
Hazel’s family are moving to England, but what should have been an exciting adventure takes a scary turn as Hazel makes the move ahead of her parents to stay with her Great Aunt. While she starts to make new friends, monsters from her past begin to haunt her again, and she starts to realise that even fairy tale heroines must face dangers to reach their happy ending.
CW: mental illness, self harm, grief, abandonment
This middle grade tackles the difficult topic of childhood mental illness with grace and sensitivity. Based on the author’s own experience, Hazel shows what it means to live with OCD in an accessible way which will help young people grow in understanding and empathy. This is the second of Aisha Bushby’s books that I have read, and she has a creative way of exploring difficult topics through beautiful and magical writing.
CW: mental illness, self harm, grief, abandonment
This middle grade tackles the difficult topic of childhood mental illness with grace and sensitivity. Based on the author’s own experience, Hazel shows what it means to live with OCD in an accessible way which will help young people grow in understanding and empathy. This is the second of Aisha Bushby’s books that I have read, and she has a creative way of exploring difficult topics through beautiful and magical writing.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews