My Life on Fire

I enjoyed this book and what it had to say about family, belonging and trauma. Lovely characters who I enjoyed getting to know

My 8 year old daughter absolutely loved this book. Ren and Casper are two of the best characters she has read in ages. She really enjoyed the alternative chapters told from both of their perspectives and she loved how determined Casper was to help Ren and that even though it took a while, Ren eventually listens to Casper.
She loved the themes and messaging in this book and how its never too late to do the right thing.

This was her first time reading Cath Howe's writing and she loved it and is looking forward to reading more her of her others and reserved several in in the library. We will purchase a copy of My Life on Fire when its published , thank you for the opportunity to read this one.

Written from two points of view this is an insightful story showing different perspectives. I loved Caspar with his black and white take on things, he was appealing, frustrating, lovable and entertaining all in one. A fabulous story full of emotion, family and relationships.

I have enjoyed Cath Howe's previous books but this one really caught my attention with it covering the issue of Kleptomania. A solid middle grade read, the story takes us through the loss of a family home from a fire and the difficulties it causes for the family. The story is told from two different viewpoints- the main character (who starts stealing) and a classmate, this helps you see the effect it has on those affected. It does give the reader a good understanding of why someone might start to do bad things and how they might feel about it too.

When Ren's family home burns down, she has to move with her family to Gran's house, with no possessions of her own. When a school art project asks her to create her life in a box, she realises that, unlike all of her classmates, she has nothing to put in. Other people's possessions become tempting, and that temptation proves hard to resist...

Caspar loves the life in a box project. When he starts spending more time with Ren, due to her Gran living near him, he comes to realise that all is not right in her world. Can he help her to come to terms with what is happening?

Told from the dual perspectives of Ren and Caspar, Cath Howe has once again captured the emotions of children as they try to navigate difficult times in their lives.

A great book for upper key stage 2.