NO SPOILERS:

Katya Balen seems to be one of very few writers who remember being a child, how a child thinks, how a child understands, but she writes with the wisdom of an adult but somehow does not overshadow the child. I love her writing.

The publisher’s description tells you all you need to know about the plot and really does not leave any surprises, afterall, being a children’s book, the plot and story line are somewhat predictable, as they need to be, and in anyone else’s hands it could have been dreadfully twee. But Letters from the Upside is glorious and beautifully written. Balen always uses just the right word and imagery, putting emotions into something tangible and perfect.

And whatever you do, don’t forget to look up…

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury for the Advanced Review Copy of the book, which I have voluntarily reviewed.

A heart wrenchingly beautiful look at how we learn to control big emotions.

Katya Balen gets me every time.

Con is struggling to keep hold of his anger ever since his dad left. He knows he’s a bad kid and he knows that it’s all his fault that dad left, that mum is sad and that his best friend Kyron doesn’t want to be around him anymore.

He’s excluded from school and at a loose end when Mr Williams asks him to help him, up on the roof where the Sky spreads out for miles, to look after his pigeons. Con has to learn to be calm. Gentle. Safe. So that the birds will feel at home with him. Con can’t believe that someone would trust him with something so delicate and important and he strives to prove that he can be trustworthy.

This is such a fantastic story of how children learn to perceive themselves based on adults reactions to them. How giving a child a chance can provide them an opportunity to really show us who they are. And in all my years in teaching and managing children with difficult behaviour I’ve never felt so strongly the message that we get to choose our actions, we get to choose between pushing people away or bringing people together.

I’d recommend this story to children, young people and adults alike. We never know what someone is thinking about themselves but if we can be kind and patient and give people chances they might just prove they’re up to the challenge.

Beautifully written, a poetic glimpse into a child’s mind and how the kindness of adults can teach lessons we never expected.

I work in a primary school and during this summer holidays I met my deputy head. His opening sentence was ‘Have you read anything good this holiday?’ Before I could answer he mentioned that he’d read the ‘latest’ Katya Balen book. I boastfully responded with ‘well I read that a while back but I have just read her absolute latest!’
After we’d had a discussion re how I managed to get unreleased books we discussed Katya Balen herself. Both mentioning how her style has grown and developed and she is now one of our go-to writers. Character development, storyline and relatability were all mentioned.
This book is absolutely perfect for uKS2 or lKS3. Brilliantly crafted to cover a difficult subject as so many of Katya books are. Genius .

Katya Balen does it again!

A deeply touching, moving and ultimately uplifting story of Con and his, at first, unlikely friendship with Mr Williams. Mr Williams takes Con under his wing (sorry, pun intended) and helps Con find beauty in the everyday and learn more about himself in the process. A great page turner.

A great book about an unusual hobby for a child. Con reminded me of several children I have known during my time as a primary school teacher. Katya Balen has written his struggles with his emotions and how they present themselves really well. Con and Mr Williams are really likeable characters and their relationship is heart-warming to read.

Katya Balen knocks it out of the park with this touching story about Con, a boy who is struggling with the departure of his difficult, mercurial father and his own role in that process.

Left to cope alongside his abandoned mother - who is exhausted from the stress of keeping their lives together and managing Con's fragile moodiness and problematic temper - he struggles to manage his rage, which often bursts out and leaves destruction in its wake.

Help comes from an unexpected source, but will it continue to be offered after Con makes a mistake that has disastrous consequences?

This is a beautiful story about love, community, and finding happiness in life when that feels like an uphill task. Well worth reading.

Letters from the upside
By Katya Balen
Published by Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Katya Balen does it again - a unique storyline full of warmth, honesty but above all love in many forms, especially in times of need.

Troubled Con can’t get anything right.
School is tricky, a nightmare when he can’t control his temper - suspended!
Friendships are difficult especially when he can’t control his temper - loneliness!
His dad has left and Con believes everything is his fault - guilty!
And all Con feels is anger - at school, at home, at his friends and at his mum!
So when his neighbour Mr Williams gives him a chance to learn and care for his pigeons, he can’t believe anyone could be so trusting and kind. But when he is left alone to care for them disaster strikes.
Will Con bolt, allowing his anger to take over him?
Will Con be brave enough to make a stand?
Will Con make a change and see things differently for himself, his neighbour and the future?

All he wants is to find some answers and the good person he longs to be feels so unreachable.

Katya Balen has written another beautiful and hopeful story about finding yourself again. When things are difficult, time and talk is a great healer. This storyline tells of ways to find a better place, where you can be at peace with your own thoughts and spread your wings.

How can someone trust you when you don’t trust yourself?
How can strangers come together to help others?
How can kindness overcome anger?

I loved every page of this beautiful story. I couldn’t read it fast enough but didn’t want it to end. And spoiler alert - it made me cry!
A must for every classroom and library with the message “Talk your feelings through because there is always an upside to everything!” ❤️👏📚

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgallery

Katya Balen once again shows her gift for blending the natural world with the complexity of human emotions. From the very first page there is a sense of calm and stillness running through the book, yet it is set against the storm of anger and confusion felt by a boy who has been left behind by a parent. This juxtaposition makes the story deeply moving.

The book captures so honestly the guilt, unanswered questions and bursts of frustration that come with that kind of loss. It never feels forced or melodramatic – instead, it is written with a tenderness that lets you feel every moment of his struggle. What stands out most is the way the adults in his life refuse to be pushed away. Their quiet presence, their willingness to stay even when he is hurting and lashing out, becomes a lifeline.

Threaded through the story is Balen’s love of nature. Even in a cityscape, she finds those gentle, healing spaces – a patch of green, a sudden breath of fresh air – that offer comfort and perspective. It is a book that manages to hold both peace and anger side by side, showing that healing can come from both connection and stillness. Beautifully written and powerful in its quiet way, this is an easy five stars.

How does Katya Balen do it? Every one of her books is unique and at the heart of all the stories is an immense sense of hope and possibility.

Letters from the Upside is simply superb - a book that will grab readers from 9-11 and is certainly a book to be considered as an upper key stage 2 class read( so much to talk about) but also a great. book for parents and children to share together.

This is the story of Con; Con is angry and ever since dad left home Con's explosive temperament has resulted in being suspended from class following an incident with a class bully ( he wants revenge) and also losing the trust of hi best friend, Kyron.

Having to spend time at home, Con discovers an unknown world- up on the rooftop of the block of flats is something magical- The Upside! Neighbour, Mr Williams, introduces Con to his pigeons and their incredible ability to fly and return but also travel long distances with messages. Con is filled with hope- could the pigeons help him find his dad? And when Mr Williams has to go away and leaves Con 'in-charge ' of the birds, can he finally prove to everyone that he can be trusted and do something successfully ?

What makes Katya Balen's books standout are the connections and the deep empathy with the challenges of being a young person in a difficult world- especially in cities and with children with only one parent at home. Emotions are palpable and Con's inner frustration and anger exude off the page. Yes, there are resolutions but these only arise from a growing understanding and support from all around- face to face human connections and breaking down misunderstandings

Any book that unites cross generational characters is important especially in a time when both older and younger people can feel distant /alienated from one another . The friendship between Con and Mr Williams is what shines through in this brilliant read.

Letters from the Upside is superb- highly recommended. One of the top children's books for 2025!!

Another perfectly gorgeous middle grade novel from Balen, about finding 'the Upside', and turning pain into goodness. A beautiful and emotional read about a boy who learns beauty from homing pigeons, and the grumpy but kind Mr Williams. Con is a delightfully different protagonist, and once again Balen crafts a story that will pull on the emotional heartstrings of all ages.
Katya Balen's books may be aimed at middle grade readers, but they shine in the hearts of everyone.