What do you think?
Rate this book
At the Firefly Gate
Henry has always felt like an outsider and things are about to get worse when his family moves to the countryside and the prospect of a new school looms. He retreats more and more into his shell, until he meets Dottie, a frail old lady, who has tremendous spirit. He feels as though he knows her, as though they have been friends for many years. And as she tells him about her wartime romance with a Royal Air Force navigator also named Henry, our Henry is drawn into that world. In a series of mysterious, sometimes frightening events he re-enacts Henry's life . . . and learns that despite being dreadfully afraid, Henry acted heroically at the cost of his own life. Only our Henry knows the true story and it shows him a way through his own self-doubts and misgivings.
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
160 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
9 people are currently reading
140 people want to read
About the author
Linda Newbery
84 books53 followersLinda Newbery's latest novel for adults is THE ONE TRUE THING. She has published widely for readers of all ages, and is a Costa Prize category winner with SET IN STONE, a young adult Victorian mystery. She has twice been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal, with THE SHELL HOUSE and SISTERLAND.
With friends Adele Geras and Celia Rees, Linda hosts the literary blog WRITERS REVIEW, which features reviews, recommendations, interviews with authors and insights from booksellers.
Linda is an active campaigner on animal and environmental issues and has published a guide to compassionate living: THIS BOOK IS CRUELTY FREE - ANIMALS AND US.
She lives in rural Oxfordshire.
With friends Adele Geras and Celia Rees, Linda hosts the literary blog WRITERS REVIEW, which features reviews, recommendations, interviews with authors and insights from booksellers.
Linda is an active campaigner on animal and environmental issues and has published a guide to compassionate living: THIS BOOK IS CRUELTY FREE - ANIMALS AND US.
She lives in rural Oxfordshire.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 26, 2011
At the Firefly Gate is a simple romantic ghost story that seamlessly connects past and present, and age and youth together.
Henry, 11, is not happy when his parents move from London to the village of Crickford St. Thomas. His first night there, he sees a man standing at the garden gate, smoking a cigarette and with a cloud of fireflies flying around him, appearing to look straight at Henry.
The next day Henry and his parents are invited to tea by their neighbor Pat, whose daughter Grace is a little older than Henry. Also living there is Dottie, Pat’s elderly aunt. Henry and Dottie immediately feel the strangest connection to each other, despite their age difference.
That night, Henry dreams that he is at a mobile café, buying doughnuts and coffee, helped by a pretty girl who was flirting with him. And he knew the guy with him was his best friend, Rusty Dobbs. Yet, nothing about the dream made sense to him and, despite its vividness it slips away from him when he wakes up.
Henry begins to settle into his new surroundings. He is often invited to Pat’s home for tea and becomes friendlier with Dottie, bonding with her over games of Scrabble. All that spoils this is Grace telling him that Dottie is dying.
Meanwhile, Henry meets and becomes friends with Simon, who he will be going to school with. One hot Sunday, Henry and Simon go over the stream to cool off. They get lost along the way and discover an old, long abandoned airfield, which Simon recognizes as the one where his great-granddad was a pilot during World War II. He tells Henry the story about how his great granddad was in sick bay the night his entire crew went on a mission over Germany and never came back. Henry is stunned to learn that Simon’s great granddad’s name is Rusty Dobbs.
The past and present continue to overlap in Henry’s life, even as carves out a spot for himself in Crickford, making new friends and adjusting to life there. Dottie finally clarifies the identity of the man, explaining that he was also named Henry, a navigator in the RAF and best friends with Rusty Dobbs. He was also the love of her life and, after he didn’t return from the mission that saved Rusty’s life, she never was interested in marrying anyone else.
Newbery’s well developed Henry is a sweet, sensitive character, a rather ordinary boy who suddenly has this extraordinary experience. As pieces to the puzzle of the past present themselves, Henry increasingly becomes more determined to figure it all out. Dottie’s mind is still that of a feisty girl, even as she is physically limited simply by her age. She seems to bring out a confidence in Henry that wasn’t apparent before, acting as a catalyst for Henry’s ‘coming of age.’ Even sullen, angry Grace is well-drawn in her desire to become an RAF pilot against all the odds.
Though I thought the story started out rather slowly and with just a touch of confusion, in the end I enjoyed it very much. I think Linda Newbery has written a very nice refreshing book about friendship between generations that is unusual in books for young readers, where so often these age groups are at odds with each other instead.
The Book Cover: The cover of a book matters and can often influence a reader's decision about reading it. In this case I think the cover is quite lovely. The trouble is that on the book I read the details are so dark are hard to make out. I made the picture of the cover a little brighter with some finagling so that the details are somewhat clearer. Illustrators work hard on covers and they should be appreciated. The artwork for At the Firefly Gate was done by Jess Meserve.
This book is recommended for readers age 9-12.
This book was borrowed from the Children’s Center at 42nd Street of the NYPL
Henry, 11, is not happy when his parents move from London to the village of Crickford St. Thomas. His first night there, he sees a man standing at the garden gate, smoking a cigarette and with a cloud of fireflies flying around him, appearing to look straight at Henry.
The next day Henry and his parents are invited to tea by their neighbor Pat, whose daughter Grace is a little older than Henry. Also living there is Dottie, Pat’s elderly aunt. Henry and Dottie immediately feel the strangest connection to each other, despite their age difference.
That night, Henry dreams that he is at a mobile café, buying doughnuts and coffee, helped by a pretty girl who was flirting with him. And he knew the guy with him was his best friend, Rusty Dobbs. Yet, nothing about the dream made sense to him and, despite its vividness it slips away from him when he wakes up.
Henry begins to settle into his new surroundings. He is often invited to Pat’s home for tea and becomes friendlier with Dottie, bonding with her over games of Scrabble. All that spoils this is Grace telling him that Dottie is dying.
Meanwhile, Henry meets and becomes friends with Simon, who he will be going to school with. One hot Sunday, Henry and Simon go over the stream to cool off. They get lost along the way and discover an old, long abandoned airfield, which Simon recognizes as the one where his great-granddad was a pilot during World War II. He tells Henry the story about how his great granddad was in sick bay the night his entire crew went on a mission over Germany and never came back. Henry is stunned to learn that Simon’s great granddad’s name is Rusty Dobbs.
The past and present continue to overlap in Henry’s life, even as carves out a spot for himself in Crickford, making new friends and adjusting to life there. Dottie finally clarifies the identity of the man, explaining that he was also named Henry, a navigator in the RAF and best friends with Rusty Dobbs. He was also the love of her life and, after he didn’t return from the mission that saved Rusty’s life, she never was interested in marrying anyone else.
Newbery’s well developed Henry is a sweet, sensitive character, a rather ordinary boy who suddenly has this extraordinary experience. As pieces to the puzzle of the past present themselves, Henry increasingly becomes more determined to figure it all out. Dottie’s mind is still that of a feisty girl, even as she is physically limited simply by her age. She seems to bring out a confidence in Henry that wasn’t apparent before, acting as a catalyst for Henry’s ‘coming of age.’ Even sullen, angry Grace is well-drawn in her desire to become an RAF pilot against all the odds.
Though I thought the story started out rather slowly and with just a touch of confusion, in the end I enjoyed it very much. I think Linda Newbery has written a very nice refreshing book about friendship between generations that is unusual in books for young readers, where so often these age groups are at odds with each other instead.
The Book Cover: The cover of a book matters and can often influence a reader's decision about reading it. In this case I think the cover is quite lovely. The trouble is that on the book I read the details are so dark are hard to make out. I made the picture of the cover a little brighter with some finagling so that the details are somewhat clearer. Illustrators work hard on covers and they should be appreciated. The artwork for At the Firefly Gate was done by Jess Meserve.
This book is recommended for readers age 9-12.
This book was borrowed from the Children’s Center at 42nd Street of the NYPL
April 5, 2021
I would really love this book if I read it when I was a kid .
Its just a story of Henry finding out about another Henry from sixty years a go through dream and silhouette outside the gate . As for Dottie , well , she’s senile at the first place and ill . Theres not so much interaction between them as I hope it to be .
Its just a story of Henry finding out about another Henry from sixty years a go through dream and silhouette outside the gate . As for Dottie , well , she’s senile at the first place and ill . Theres not so much interaction between them as I hope it to be .
February 20, 2014
"At the Firefly Gate" takes place in London in the village Crickford St. Thomas. The main character Henry is eleven years old and he is not happy when they move. His first night in his new house he sees a man standing at their garden gate, smoking a cigarette and with beautiful firefly's flying around him, and he seems to be looking straight at Henry. The next day Pat their neighbor invited Henry and his parents next door to have tea. Also living there is Grace, Pats daughter who is a little older than Henry and Dottie, Pats elderly aunt. Henry and Dottie both feel this strong and strange connection with each other. Like they've known each other forever. That night dreams about being in a mobile cafe, buying doughnuts and coffee, helped by a young pretty girl who liked him. He was also with his best friend, Rusty Dobbs. The dream was really confusing for him but it fades away and then he wakes up. After a couple weeks Henry becomes familiar with his surroundings. He is always invited to tea at Pats house and becomes really close to Dottie. Henry makes some new friends like Simon. One day Henry and Simon get lost on their way to the stream and come upon an old long abandoned airfield, which Simon realizes that its the one his great granddad was a pilot during World War Two. He tells Henry a story how his great granddad and his entire crew went on mission over Germany and never came back. The Past and Present continue to overlap in Henry's life, making new friends and adjusting life there. Henry loved to listen to Simon's stories about his Granddad's name is Rusty Dobbs. Dottie finally clarifies the identity of the man, explaining that he was also named Henry, a navigator in the RAF and best friends with Rusty Dobbs. He was also her love of her life and he didn't return from a mission that saved Rusty's life. The Author described Henry as a sweet, sensitive character, just an ordinary boy who suddenly had an strange experience. Henry becomes more determined to figure everything out. Dottie seems to bring out the confidence in Henry that wasn't apparent before. I thought the story started out slowly and boring and it was a bit confusing but at the end i enjoyed it. She has written a very nice book about friendship between generations.
May 18, 2019
This book makes me want to be a primary school teacher just so I have the rapt attention of young people to read to.
Newbery's prose has lovely moments. The title alone is wondrous. But sadly there's some minor parts which make me fall short of giving 5 stars. Firstly, it's the little things like the boy sneaking into school sounded really exciting but was such a cop out "I just told my mum I could go to school today", as if that could happen. But the overall idea of a boy sneaking into school was lovely and funny.
I also find it hard to believe that Rusty never knew who Dottie was when they live in a tiny village. I also found the character of Grace to be quite one-dimensional.
Overall, this is a lovely book that could be used as a read aloud in primary school to discuss wartime, bullying, nature, moving schools and bereavement.
Newbery's prose has lovely moments. The title alone is wondrous. But sadly there's some minor parts which make me fall short of giving 5 stars. Firstly, it's the little things like the boy sneaking into school sounded really exciting but was such a cop out "I just told my mum I could go to school today", as if that could happen. But the overall idea of a boy sneaking into school was lovely and funny.
I also find it hard to believe that Rusty never knew who Dottie was when they live in a tiny village. I also found the character of Grace to be quite one-dimensional.
Overall, this is a lovely book that could be used as a read aloud in primary school to discuss wartime, bullying, nature, moving schools and bereavement.
February 20, 2018
Nice and straightforward story. I’d have liked a bit more resolution about why Henry was seeing the things he did, but maybe I missed something.
September 16, 2017
Henry has moved to the countryside and is trying to adjust. Dotty an old lady befriends him but Henry feels like he has seen her before...
This was another good Linda Newbery book with the usual nostalgic mystery. I loved the relationships between the characters and the way you found out what had happened.
A good easy read probably for younger readers. 3.5 stars.
This was another good Linda Newbery book with the usual nostalgic mystery. I loved the relationships between the characters and the way you found out what had happened.
A good easy read probably for younger readers. 3.5 stars.
December 31, 2024
A short and sweet story following 11 year old Henry as he moves to a new village, where dreams and visions give him unexpected insight into events which happened 60 years earlier. Nicely written, though lacking in detail given its short length.
October 13, 2025
A lovely book in the tradition of Tom's Midnight Garden by Philippa Pearce, or Charlotte Sometimes by Penelope Farmer. Told from a child's point of view, but enjoyable for all ages. I feel this would be a particularly good book to share.
March 3, 2021
A very sweet story.
January 6, 2024
A bit of a slow read, a tad predictable but a cool way to look at history.
November 18, 2024
I enjoyed reading this book and will look to find other books written by this author
October 23, 2025
This was a good short read. I would have liked to have an explanation behind the things Henry knew but it was still a good storyline.
November 15, 2013
Henry is a young boy that has just moved to the country side. When he first moves there he thinks that everything will be bad and he wont make any friends. Then, one night, he saw this man standing at the
"Firefly Gate" smoking and just standing there as if he is waiting for someone. He wants to figure out who that guy is and why he stands there every night, but when he looks at the man out his bedroom window, he has the feeling he is there. He feels everything the man would feel. The cold air, the smell of smoke, the fireflies flying around him. He wants to find out who this man is, but every time he goes outside to look for him he disappears. On top of that, Henry has weird dreams about him being older and meeting this beautiful young girl in a blue polka dot dress at the coffee shop as she handed him a coffee and a donut. He also has dreams about being a pilot for the war. After that, he meets Dottie, an old woman that is one of the neighbors. She tells him that he reminds he of this other Henry. They were in love and he was a pilot in the war. She told him he left one day and never came back. So she didn't hear from him ever since. She also tells him that her and Henry met when he ordered a coffee and a donut at the coffee shop she worked at. Henry is surprised because him dream was exactly that. She also told him about her Henry waiting for her at the firefly gate. Then he remembers the man. Do Henry's dreams have anything to do with the stories Dottie is telling him? But, how come him dreams are happening before she tells him the stories? This is a great story and even though there is not a lot of action, it just makes you feel good. This story is about love and destiny.
"Firefly Gate" smoking and just standing there as if he is waiting for someone. He wants to figure out who that guy is and why he stands there every night, but when he looks at the man out his bedroom window, he has the feeling he is there. He feels everything the man would feel. The cold air, the smell of smoke, the fireflies flying around him. He wants to find out who this man is, but every time he goes outside to look for him he disappears. On top of that, Henry has weird dreams about him being older and meeting this beautiful young girl in a blue polka dot dress at the coffee shop as she handed him a coffee and a donut. He also has dreams about being a pilot for the war. After that, he meets Dottie, an old woman that is one of the neighbors. She tells him that he reminds he of this other Henry. They were in love and he was a pilot in the war. She told him he left one day and never came back. So she didn't hear from him ever since. She also tells him that her and Henry met when he ordered a coffee and a donut at the coffee shop she worked at. Henry is surprised because him dream was exactly that. She also told him about her Henry waiting for her at the firefly gate. Then he remembers the man. Do Henry's dreams have anything to do with the stories Dottie is telling him? But, how come him dreams are happening before she tells him the stories? This is a great story and even though there is not a lot of action, it just makes you feel good. This story is about love and destiny.
September 29, 2013
At first glance this book looks like a social issue story. A kid, name Henry moved to a new town, had to make new friends, tries to get people to like him, and tried not to get in trouble with bullies, especially Grace. Social issue books are good to read and are very enjoyable, but this author, Linda Newbery, surprises the reader (me) by plotting the story with some mystery. At the same time, it's a realistic book with a realistic plot.
As the story progresses, it leads me to think that Henry had another life before this. He saw events of a pilot, also name Henry, from time to time. I thought this was a ghost telling Henry messages or, like I mentioned, Henry had lived another life. This was very similar to another story I read where a ghost tried to tell a bunch of kids a message, and they had to solve a mystery about a very evil guy.
The ending was depressing. Grace's aunt, Dottie, obvious throughout the story that she was pilot Henry's girlfriend, died. The present Henry didn't even get to say goodbye and tell her why the past Henry didn't come back to her. The present Henry had his chance to fill in Dottie's gap but her death came a few days too early.
As the story progresses, it leads me to think that Henry had another life before this. He saw events of a pilot, also name Henry, from time to time. I thought this was a ghost telling Henry messages or, like I mentioned, Henry had lived another life. This was very similar to another story I read where a ghost tried to tell a bunch of kids a message, and they had to solve a mystery about a very evil guy.
The ending was depressing. Grace's aunt, Dottie, obvious throughout the story that she was pilot Henry's girlfriend, died. The present Henry didn't even get to say goodbye and tell her why the past Henry didn't come back to her. The present Henry had his chance to fill in Dottie's gap but her death came a few days too early.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 11, 2007
The story of a young boy whose family has moved from London to the country. He misses his friends and the bustle of London but begins to appreciate the quiet of the country. However, he also discovers a very personal connection to some of the history relating to the World War flyers from Britain. Turns out his new home has a history of being one of the old air bases used during the way and Henry, the protagonist, keeps seeing and dreaming things that are connected to some of his new friends and neighbors.
Worth reading - it's got an element of fantasy in it that's unexpected and much gentler than much of what's out there now on the market. Requires some thinking on the part of the reader.
Worth reading - it's got an element of fantasy in it that's unexpected and much gentler than much of what's out there now on the market. Requires some thinking on the part of the reader.
October 13, 2008
This is a young adult novel that should appeal to all ages. It is the story of a young boy, Henry, in modern-day rural England, and the storyline also reaches back to World War II. It is a beautiful story about personal experience during war and the writing has a delicateness that makes it more moving. A reader would not need a lot of history of WWII to appreciate Firefly Gate, and it might be a great choice if you are looking for variety for a young reader. It was a very touching story with just a bit of supernatural and mystery.
June 21, 2008
WWII England, Jr Fiction book. Mystery/fantasy. I really enjoyed this story of Henry, who has moved with his family to Suffolk, England (present day) and begins to see a shadowy image of a WWII airman standing by the garden gate in his backyard. The story is sad, ghostly, romantic, adventurous and a quick read.
January 29, 2009
I found that this story took a little while to get to the point but in the end I couldn't put it down. Over all a good read. One of the things I found a little awkward was the narrator. It felt like sometimes it moved from 3rd person to 1st in a slightly confusing manner. Still didn't detract from me liking the story.
Read
February 1, 2010Nice addition to Young Adult reads but do we really have to be reminded about the take over of our publishing business by British moguls. Enough reprints and new prints by British authors. Nice book and I really liked the storyline even though a bit obvious. But young readers might get bogged down on British slang.
December 27, 2010
gentle lovely story
Henry and his parents move out of London to a small village near a World War II airfield.
The first night he sees the "ghost of a pilot" near his garden gate.
Lots of things in this book:
meeting and making new friends
loss
Coming of age
friendship of a boy for an elderly woman
Henry and his parents move out of London to a small village near a World War II airfield.
The first night he sees the "ghost of a pilot" near his garden gate.
Lots of things in this book:
meeting and making new friends
loss
Coming of age
friendship of a boy for an elderly woman
February 17, 2014
I honestly can't remember a single thing about this book except this: I absolutely adored it when I was eight years old. I read it in year 4 and, believe me, I was amazed. Its an enchanting story about a young boy called Harry, and that is all I know. But this is an official order: read this book! Its for 8-12 year olds roughly, but its a beautiful book anyone can really enjoy.
Read
October 8, 2015I didn't want to give this a star rating, because it didn't quite make it to a 4, but it wasn't really a 3 either.
A story about a by who moves to a small town in the British countryside, it's a cute story and a melding of present and past. I didn't feel anything was explained fully, but it was "resolved" enough that it was worth the quick read.
A story about a by who moves to a small town in the British countryside, it's a cute story and a melding of present and past. I didn't feel anything was explained fully, but it was "resolved" enough that it was worth the quick read.
July 8, 2008
I picked this up for Madison, but I read it instead. It was okay, but it took too long for the point of the story to happen. It felt too predictable and anti climatic. I knew it wouldn't hold madi's attention so I didn't pass it on.
October 27, 2009
Henry moves into a new home and during his first night there he sees a man at his garden gate, staring at him. Who is this strange man and why does Henry feel like he knows him? In addition, why is Henry having such strange dreams - almost life like?
January 23, 2015
I like Henry. He sounds like a good kid.
This story made me sad. Near the end. Was not expecting it! gah!
I wouldn't really consider this a ghost story. It doesn't feel like one.
I like books with WWII elements in them. I don't know why.
This story made me sad. Near the end. Was not expecting it! gah!
I wouldn't really consider this a ghost story. It doesn't feel like one.
I like books with WWII elements in them. I don't know why.
October 18, 2008
I was underwhelmed.
April 24, 2009
really sad!!! at the end and when she dies, I cried, but it is a good book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 18, 2009
A small-town boy re-enacts memories of WWII and a Lancaster pilot who lost his life. England
May 5, 2010
Found this in the kids dept in the library yesterday but I'm finding it to be an easy, interesting read.
Read
September 20, 2010Part ghost story / part time-travel / part finding yourself-new kid on the block story. Hard to categorize. Worth reading. Short.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews