Midwinter Burning

by Tanya Landman

A historical time-slip adventure for middle grade readers, from the Carnegie Medal-winning author of Apache and Buffalo Soldier.
Alfie Wright? Alfie Wrong, more like. Alfie has never really fitted in anywhere – he doesn't have any friends, and even his mum seems embarrassed of him. So when he’s evacuated to a farm in rural Devon run by kind old Aunt Bell and her gentle giant of a son, Alfie can’t believe his luck. The War seems a long way off, and among the cows and pigs and geese Alfie's happier than he’s ever been – especially when he makes friends with one of the local boys, Smidge. But Smidge, for all his friendliness, is not all he appears. And the mystery that surrounds him seems to be connected to the Midwinter Burning, an annual ritual held at the Standing Stones, high up on the cliffs. Aunt Bell says it’s all just a bit of harmless superstition, but when Smidge goes missing, Alfie finally discovers who his friend really is – and relives the true horror of the legend…

Genres: Fantasy, Historical, Friendship, Historical Fiction, Fiction

256 pages, Paperback

Published November 3, 2022

About the author

Carnegie Medal winning Tanya Landman is the author of more than thirty books for children and young adults.

Born and brought up in Kent, Tanya had no intention of becoming a writer until the idea for Waking Merlin popped into her head. "It came from nowhere. It was completely out of the blue."

Tanya now lives and works in Bideford and the nearby coastline was the inspiration for her Flotsam & Jetsam series.

Tanya's first books were "adventure stories with a sprinkling of magic and spoonful of humour." But then Tanya turned to crime, writing Mondays are Murder (winner of a Red House Book Award) - the first in a series of ten "Agatha-Christie-for-kids" featuring child sleuth Poppy Fields and her friend Graham. Her new highly illustrated books for younger children feature Sam Swann, an accident-prone boy sleuth and his faithful canine sidekick Watson.

Although she writes across a broad age range, Tanya is probably best known for her historical novels for young adults. 
Apache - set in 19th century America - was shortlisted for several UK awards including the Teenage Book Trust and the Carnegie Medal (where it was voted the Shadowing Groups favourite). The US edition won a Borders Original Voices prize and a Spur award from the Western Writers of America. 
The Goldsmith's Daughter - set in the Aztec empire during the Spanish invasion - was nominated for the Carnegie Medal and the Guardian Children's Fiction prize. Buffalo Soldier
 won the 2015 Carnegie Medal. Hell and High Water - a swashbuckling thriller set in 18th century Devon - was shortlisted for the 2016 Guardian Children's Fiction Prize and nominated for the Carnegie Medal. Her latest book Beyond the Wall is set in Roman Britain. Passing for White comes out later this year.

Reviews

[Charlotte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boy evacuated from London in WW II has a time slip adventure in the English countryside. I was slightly disappointed that it didn't reach the heights of numinous terror I think it could have, but happily read it in a single sitting none the less.

[Demetria Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought that a children’s book will turn out to be one of the best books I’ve read in 2022?! Not me! But it happened!

‘Midwinter burning’ absolutely stole my heart with it’s incredible storytelling, heartbreaking plot surprising metaphors with life lessons for readers of all ages, beautiful quotes and well-written characters. The book was gripping from start to finish and although the story was simple enough to be understood by children, it was deep enough to give adults something to think about.

‘Alfie realized that this was it. The Darkness wasn't coming. It was here. It wasn't a force that came from outside. It came from within. Hate that poisoned
minds and hearts and souls, uniting people when they found a victim. Someone different. Someone who didn't quite fit in. Someone to blame when things went wrong.’

Honestly, I think the amount of heavy topics this book covers, e.g. grief, bullying, realities of war and loss, the sacrifice of life, psychological abuse, being unwanted by a parent, it all makes this book pretty dark for a young reader. At the same time, the author of ‘Midwinter burning’ manages to deliver all these lessons in a way that doesn’t feel too overwhelming and I believe it’s perfectly suitable for a bit older kids. However, I also think the the writing style and all the previously mentioned stuff may not be as accessible for the youngest readers and may stop them from fully enjoying this book.

Nonetheless, ‘Midwinter burning’ is a beautifully written story, which I think everyone should read, especially the fans of historical fiction and time travel stuff (not quite but I have no idea how to describe that in English other than ‘timeline mishmash’).

Lastly, I just want to mention this abso-freaking-lutely perfect cover! Even if I haven’t read the book I would still buy it just for this cover! Just… wow🥺

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this arc in exchange for an honest review ❤️

[BookBairn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a World War Two based story and this one set around the story of an evacuee was utterly charming. I particularly loved the farm setting and felt the author really brought this to life and Auntie Bell is a character I just adored (I think maybe I am a little bit like Auntie Bell with her endless chattering). The mystical and magical elements of the Standing Stones and the friendship with Smidge wove a wondrous tale. The time slips were created so seamlessly into the story but my favourite parts were actually the parts about daily life for Alfie and him finding his place.

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit of an odd fantasy meets historical story really 🤔

* It's 1939 and children in London are being evacuated to the country because of WWII.
* Alfie is sent of by a mother who doesn't really care much about him, and finds himself staying on a farm with a lady who tells him to call her Auntie Bell.
* Alfie is well fed, and gets to help out milking the cows, and putting the chickens away.
* Alfie doesn't really have.any friends and tries to steer clear of a boy called Billy who bullies him.
* One day Alfie meets a boy about his age in the woods, who calls himself Smidge. Alfie and Smidge begin to play together all the time.
* Then Smidge keeps being drawn away by a man who Alfie is afraid will hurt him.
* Alfie realises that there's something a bit strange about Smidge. One day there's a big storm and part of the cliff is washed away. A child's bones are found sticking out of the cliff, and Alfie knows that they're Smidge's bones.
* The day of the nativity, while Alfie is still dressed as the angel Gabriel, Alfie knows he has to save Smidge, and goes running up to the cliff. He sees Smidge and a woman in a costume, and dives in front of Smidge before the axe can hit him.
* The men sent to investigate the bones later tell Alfie how the bones actually belong to a man and that they found what looked like a magnifying glass buried with him. Alfie then knows that he saved Smidge, because he had given him the magnifying glass 🔍

[Ume · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my honest review as an adult: I had not expected a children book with a writing this good. Characters may feel a bit formulaic and nothing unique, but dear, the story feels very heartwarming and thrilling at the same time. I love every intricate details about the environment; the farm, the mountain, the sea, the school, etc. It makes visualizing much more easier and vivid. The plot starts off cheerful and simple, but little by little, we get a riddle and mystery that adds more as we go further. This book has twist, nothing crazy but I absolutely love the climax. It makes sense all the events that happened in the beginning.
Overall, an amazing book. Very refreshing.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a n enjoyable time slip story set at the outbreak of Word War II. The story unfolds well, the twin elements of stone age and modern era working well together. Deceptively simple, this deals with loneliness, trust, and friendship, alongside communities fear of 'the other' and how that can make people commit terrible crimes. I loved the character, especially the interaction between Alfie and Smidge. I also got a real sense pf place throughout the novel. I listened to the audio book version which was really great to listen to now that the seasons are on the turn. Overall, well plotted and a good read for autumn.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good historical story about some evacuees, and one in particular, Alfie. Alfie was constantly bullied at school, and never fitted in. But once on a farm with the wonderful Bell, Alfie starts to feel confident for the first time, and loved. However, he experiences time slips to a much older period, meeting a boy who is an outsider just like him. Will Alfie be able to reverse the terrible curse of the Midwinter Burning in time to save his friend out of time, Smidge? A great read for reading ages of 9+, and a good one to have on your shelves for new Year 7's.

[Hannah Foley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this clever, brilliant book. There are so many books for children now on WW2, but I think this is easily one of the best I have read for exploring some of the deeper themes around the causes of that war. The way humans can project their own darkness and fears on to those who are different, portraying them as monsters, with only one horrible outcome, is both timeless and as prescient as ever. This would make an amazing class read.

[Sophie Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story. I loved the historical setting and the themes that were explored throughout the book: bullying, friendship, grief and loss, evacuation. The characters were really well written and the story was compelling. I loved the pace at the end - I couldn’t put it down as I wanted to find out what had happened. This would make a good class read for Year 6/7 pupils too. Lots of themes to discuss and unpick.

[Kerri Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

A middle grade read with a paranormal twist in the setting of the Second World War where children were sent to live in the country. Alfie discovers a time warp and a friend called Smidge seems to be at the centre of an age-old ritual called the Midwinter Burning. Can he save him from an ultimate sacrifice? The book ended abruptly but did cover off all the plots.

[Rose Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy WW2 stories and this did not disappoint. It was different from the usual evacuee stories; started out the same, with a boy being the last to be picked (story of his life, having being picked on by bullies etc) but he found a wonderful new family and began to feel happy . He then found a new mysterious friend, or did he?

[Helen Swinyard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stunning. Well done Landman.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love it<3 It's so interesting and full of mystery! 100% would recommend!

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for the Trinity School Book Awards (TSBA). A nice children's Autumn/Winter read, but nothing special

[John Olav Ytreland · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book gripped me from the start and there was enough to keep me interested even though Alfie meets Smidge farther into the book than I expected.

[Libraryliz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever

[Cedar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down. I appreciated the themes and symbolism running subtly through the story, interwoven with vivid descriptions of daily life for a wartime schoolboy on a farm.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

ok i’m not even joking when i say that this book nearly made me cry on two occasions.
it is one of the most engrossing books i have ever had the pleasure of reading.
the descriptions are gorgeous and i honestly just fell in love with all the characters.
the absolute mind-fuck of it being a historical fiction but then there is an older time line that collides with alfie’s time. also one of the last chapters where they flick between the times and they are being chased around in both time lines.
i can’t believe they are writing this for middle schoolers, heck i would enjoy this as an adult.