It's bad enough having a mum dippy enough to name you Owl, but when you've got a dad you've never met, a best friend who needs you more than ever and a new boy at school giving you weird looks, there's not a lot of room for much else.
So when Owl starts seeing strange frost patterns on her skin, she's tempted to just burrow down under the duvet and forget all about it. Could her strange new powers be linked to her mysterious father? And what will happen when she enters the magical world of winter for the first time?
A glittering story of frost and friendship, with writing full of magic and heart, A Girl Called Owl is a stunning debut about family, responsibility and the beauty of the natural world.
About the Author
A. J. Wilson is a former journalist and stay-at-home-mum. She lives in Bristol. She is a graduate of the Bath Spa MA in creative writing.
Industry Reviews
A fantastical coming-of-age tale of magic, love and mystery. * INIS reading guide * An impressive coming-of-age debut novel, A Girl Called Owl combines elements of mystery, adventure, romance, fantasy and folklore, while set in the contemporary world. * SLA * [D]eftly integrates figures from folkore and ancient mythology into the wider narrative of family, friendship and identity * Primary Times * a spectacular portrayal of nature and its many faces, interweaving legend, fairy-tale, perseverance and friendship into a story that teaches that love and strength can be found in the most unlikely people. * Typewritered Blog * A chillingly good adventure about family, friendship and the delicate balance of nature. An engaging read for fans of Narnia. * Drawing on Books blog * Full of mystery with every turn of the page -- Rose, age 11 - Lovereading4kids reader review A magical and enchanting story about the mystical world of winter . . . [with] adventure, power, trust, friendship and discovery. -- Freya, age 13 - Lovereading4kids reader review Absolutely breathtaking -- Judith, age 11 - Lovereadingkids reader reviewer As well as exploring ancient legends, this book explores themes of friendship and identity, and it works very well as a coming-of-age story with characters you genuinely care about. * Books for Keeps * a perfect read for those who love wintery magic and a strong female character proving her place in the world. * BookTrust * [a] magical debut * The Bookseller * This debut is a sparklingly frosty read, full of feisty characters, myth and mystery * Daily Mail * A winter treat full of frosty magic -- Katherine Woodfine, bestselling author of The Mystery of the Clockwork Sparrow A story of wild winds and bitter frosts with the warmth of friendship at its heart. -- Abi Elphinstone, author of The Dreamsnatcher