Tadpole Summer
by Catherine Bruton
You must sign in to see if this title is available for request. Sign In or Register Now
Send NetGalley books directly to your Kindle or Kindle app
1
To read on a Kindle or Kindle app, please add kindle@netgalley.com as an approved email address to receive files in your Amazon account. Click here for step-by-step instructions.
2
Also find your Kindle email address within your Amazon account, and enter it here.
Pub Date 7 May 2026 | Archive Date 14 May 2026
Talking about this book? Use #TadpoleSummer #NetGalley. More hashtag tips!
Description
From the multi-award-winning author of No Ballet Shoes in Syria, Catherine Bruton returns with a story that celebrates all the wonder and solace that nature can bring, even in the most difficult of circumstances.
Frog has always known her younger brother Tad is unwell, but that has never been an obstacle for their unbreakable bond. They share a room and do everything together, always dreaming up new ways to be Wildlife Warriors and exploring with their grandad. But when Tad is taken into hospital, Frog finds it difficult to be in their bedroom alone and starts camping in the garden. She only plans to be there while Tad is away but she finds an unexpected calm amongst the sound of the breeze on the canvas and smell of fresh green grass, as well as a space that is just her own.
As spring turns to summer and the garden buzzes with new life, Tad returns home, bringing with him a roomful of hospital equipment and leaving no space for Frog in their shared bedroom anymore. Unsure of where she fits into their family now, Frog retreats back into the garden, using the excuse of a sponsored camp out for charity. But as her brother’s condition worsens, Frog needs to face the truth that she may not have much longer with him.
Working to bring the small joys of the natural world to Tad, can Frog find a way to make this final summer together unforgettable?
Suitable for 9+ readers, this gorgeously written story sensitively intertwines hope and loss, joy and grief, and will stay in reader’s hearts long after the final page.
Advance Praise
Praise for Bird Boy
"This is a vivid, heartfelt story. I loved how the bond develops between these two boys, who are bruised but not broken.” -The Times
“Catherine Bruton delivers another hard-hitting yet therapeutic masterpiece.” - BookTrust
“A harrowing but hopeful tale about the healing bond between a troubled boy and the bird he saved.” - Big Issue
“This moving new story about the power of nature is perfect for fans of Phil Earle, Katya Balen and Gill Lewis.” - The Week Junior
“A thought-provoking story about the healing power of friendship, nature and family. I absolutely loved it!” - Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha & The Spirit Bird
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781839946523 |
| PRICE | £7.99 (GBP) |
| PAGES | 272 |