‘Wild and brilliantly crafted’ – Sarah Crossan, author of One and Where the Heart Should Be

On the Island of Ayrie, everybody knows everyone. They know each other’s stories as they know every road, every hill and the coming of the tide. In the summer, there are bonfires to celebrate the migration of the puffins. Everything is familiar, nothing much changes, and for Tilda, nothing ever should – it is beautiful, it is perfect and it is home.

When newcomer Albie arrives at the island, Tilda wants to show Ayrie off – Albie wants her to leave him alone. She learns quickly that it’ll take more than a tour and some seal viewings to win him around. Then, she remembers stories of the old island just an hour’s boat ride away from the shore.

The old island is a death trap. The journey there is treacherous. Trips across to it are strictly forbidden. And there’s a rumour it’s haunted by the ghosts of those left there to die. But with all else having failed, the old island is the only way for Tilda to make Albie see what she sees in Ayrie.

Besides, it’s a different kind of ghost that worries Tilda. The ghost that’s been following her, now, since her brother left the island …

‘Beautifully written, full of heart’ – Julia Green

Balen has written yet another gorgeous book. Ghostlines is a beautiful, wild and brilliantly crafted novel about loss, friendship and the healing power of nature. It’s funny too! I absolutely loved it. * Sarah Crossan *
I loved this book. It's beautifully written, full of heart. The voice of the main character Tilda springs off the page with vivid life. It's a touching and tender story about the true meaning of home and community. Young readers will love the island setting, the puffins, the sea-kayak adventure to the secret island and the hideaway shelter Tilda and Albie build together. Brilliant. * Julia Green *
One of the most beautiful books I've ever read * Kiran Millwood Hargrave on OCTOBER, OCTOBER *
It's EXQUISITE. Read it. Wild yourself. Open your heart to it. Written with the pen of a poet and the soul of Mother Earth. Glorious. It's like nothing else I've ever read * Liz Hyder on OCTOBER, OCTOBER *
Original, compulsive, uplifting: this is another triumph for Balen * The Times Children's Book of the Week on THE LIGHT IN EVERYTHING *

Katya Balen is an award-winning author of books for children. Katya's debut novel, The Space We’re In, was published in 2019 and was highly commended for the Branford Boase Award. Her second, October, October, won the Yoto Carnegie Medal. Her third novel, The Light in Everything, was published in 2022. When she’s not writing books, Katya likes to scroll through dog-rescue websites, bake, and attempt to keep all her house plants alive. She lives in London with her partner and their dogs Raffi and Mouse.
@katyabalen on X