Emmy and her family have only just arrived in Mongolia when Emmy heads to collect wood for the fire but ignores her parents' warnings to stay close and quickly becomes lost in a blizzard. In her attempt to avoid a snow storm, she shelters in a cave where she meets the rarest of creatures, a snow leopard. This one is a cub who has lost their mum. Together the lost pair head out to find their way when they come across Tuli, a boy who is desperate to help. Before long, the pair find themselves on the adventure of a lifetime, trying to avoid hunters, find Silver's mum and find their way home.

I have a real soft spot for Abi's books and I adore the way she writes. There is something quite magical about it and that rings completely true with Goodnight Silver. From the start, I need to say that this is a book to be savoured. It's beautifully written and transports readers to a simply magical place.

Emmy is a pessimist by her own admission and is listing everything that could go wrong in the trip before it's even begun. It is clear that there is something awful that has happened before they came away, something that is weighing on Emmy. She is lost and is looking for answers. Quite by accident, she ends up lost in Mongolia and has no choice but to find answers. She needs to find an inner strength and positivity that she didn't know she had. In contrast, Tuli is very much an optimist who loves poetry and finds the joy in almost everything. These two opposites stumble across each other and become a wonderful balance.

I remember Abi talking when she visited school about writing stories based on maps and creating stories that follow the map. Goodnight Silver demonstrates how well Abi does this, and the map of 'somewhere in Mongolia's Mountains' is beautifully illustrated at the beginning of the book (shout out to Olivia Lomenech Gill for the illustrations) meaning that readers can track Emmy and Silver's journey. And what a journey it is! Adventure, danger and just the right amount of suspense weave seamlessly in this perfectly crafted tale of hope, finding yourself and learning to let go.

This is a book full of magic, wonder and utter joy; it's a book to savour (although the temptation to gobble it in one sitting will be real), and it's a book you will want to hug once you have finished reading it (yes, I shed a tear!). Goodnight Silver cements Abi's place as a master of storytelling (as if we didn't already know that).

Get ready to lose your heart to Silver and Emmy when Goodnight Silver publishes on the 27th October.

Goodnight Silver: A Magical Animal Adventure Brimming with Wonder and Hope
By Abi Elphinstone
Illustrated by Olivia Lomenech Gill
Publication Date: 2 February 2027
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK

Rating: 5/5

Goodnight Silver is a truly enchanting middle-grade adventure that captures the imagination from the very first page. Abi Elphinstone has crafted a heartfelt story filled with wonder, courage and hope, creating a magical journey that is impossible not to become immersed in.

Emmy is a wonderfully relatable protagonist whose emotional journey is just as compelling as the breathtaking adventure she embarks upon. After becoming separated from her parents during a blizzard in Mongolia, she unexpectedly finds herself alongside an adorable lost snow leopard cub and a boy who believes in the impossible. Together, they set out on an unforgettable quest to find the legendary land of Whisperfell before danger catches up with them.

The world-building is simply magical. The landscapes feel vivid and alive, while the themes of grief, forgiveness, friendship and protecting the natural world are woven beautifully throughout the story without ever feeling overwhelming. The adventure is exciting, emotional and filled with moments of genuine warmth that will stay with readers long after the final page.

Olivia Lomenech Gill's stunning illustrations add another layer of magic, perfectly complementing the storytelling and bringing the enchanting world to life.

This is a beautifully written story that celebrates bravery, kindness, hope and the enduring bond between humans and the natural world. Perfect for young readers who love magical adventures, unforgettable animal companions and stories filled with heart.

A captivating, emotional and wonderfully magical adventure that deserves every one of its 5/5 rating.

#GoodnightSilver #AbiElphinstone #OliviaLomenechGill #SimonAndSchusterChildrensUK #NetGalley

Whilst on holiday with her parents in the mountains of Mongolia, Emmy becomes separated from them in a blizzard and seeks shelter in a cave. To her amazement, there she encounters a snow leopard cub that seems equally lost.

Trying to restore the animal safely to its home, Emmy gets caught up in the search for a fabled place where animals can live safely in freedom. Finding help from a most unexpected source, Emmy is soon on the adventure of her life.

Abi Elphinstone is one of the most remarkable writers in children's literature today, and she proves that yet again with this gorgeous story of hope, heroism, and the bonds that can exist between humans and other species.

A new book from Abi Elphinstone is always something to look forward to. She excels in creating stories that inspire children and fill them with wonder at the worlds she creates within the pages.
Goodnight Silver is a magical adventure filled with hope, that reminds us to embrace wildness whilst also protecting the fragility of the natural world. The reader is effortlessly transported to the mountains of Mongolia, which Abi brings to life with her vivid descriptions and meticulous research. Perfect for lovers of animals and wild adventure stories.

Abi Elphinstone's storytelling is magical. In Goodnight Silver, she manages to weave a wonderous tale of hope, magic, adventure and friendship against the backdrop of highlighting the plight of one of the Earth's majestic creatures-the ghost of the Mountains - the Snow Leopard. This is a beautiful story for sharing.
Huge thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this beautiful story before publication.

4.5 stars

I haven't read any of Abi's books before, although I do own quite a few. This really reminded me of Hannah Gold's books - which I love!

The majority of images weren't visible in my e-arc so I can't really comment on them but I'm hoping they'll really add some extra depth to the story, especially for younger readers.

I didn't particularly take to Emmy as a main character - at least at first. She felt a bit brattish and I don't know...just wasn't very likeable. I know part of that is her character trait - she is a self-confessed pessimist - but she was just a bit...it's hard to explain, I was just on the edge with her. She became more likeable as the book went on and her characteristics were developed more.

I loved the connection between Emmy and the wildlife, that was a great theme and that's what reminded me of Hannah Gold's books. It's about love and family and righting wrongs, and protecting nature; it's a beautiful story with important messages that doesn't push them on you.

It's not a particularly short book - nor is it overly long - but it's so effortless to read that it just flies by, and I think it will even for younger, slower readers.

I also loved the focus on snow leopards. They're not really an animal you see a lot in TV shows (mainly because they're so endangered) or in books in a fictional sense, so I love that she's put them front and centre.

Magic is a controversial topic in this story (no spoilers here) and Abi has captured that well. The disbelief, the disregard, the confusion, the fear, but also the....well, the magic of it all. And as well as literal magic, she's captured the magic of nature, of wild animals, of the lang, of saving others, of friendship, and love.

How to explain this without spoilers...Whisperfell is mentioned in the synopsis so it's not a spoiler to say there's this mystical land and it just sounds absolutely gorgeous and idyllic.

There were elements I felt were less than perfect but we're being really picky here. They definitely weren't enough to alter how I feel about the book overall. It was beautifully written, fabulous storytelling, deep emotions, interesting - if sometimes annoying - characters, magical magic (I can't think of a better word), fascinating descriptions of wild animals and nature. It's just so uplifting and comforting and I would highly recommend it to children and adults alike.

A self-declared pessimist, Emmy doesn’t belive in luck. Ever since her mum lost her baby, she can’t help but think about all the things that can go wrong in life. She knows it’s dangerous to hope: she won’t risk that vulnerablity again. Emmy’s parents are just the opposite. Full of hope, they’re thrilled to be on the trip of a lifetime to the Altai Mountains of Mongolia – a world away from their home in Glasgow. Mum’s excited to have won the trip in a writing competition in a travel magazine while Dad is really hoping to see a snow leopard. This ‘ghost of the mountain’ is incredibly rare but there’s a magic in the mountains telling him anything can happen.

The remote mountains, thick forest and deep snow make this a dangerous place. Rumours of ruthless hunters raiding the wild for animals so they can sell furs on the blackmarket create an added threat. When Emmy gets lost in a storm and must take shelter in a cave with a snow leopard cub, the chances of her finding her way back to camp are slim. Added responsibility for the cub who is unlikely to survive without its mother and evidence that hunters are nearby make her journey even more perilous. But the magic of the mountains is strong. Through new friends, mountain spirits and an enchanted map, Emmy learns there is a way to protect the cub from harm.

Goodnight Silver is a thrilling animal adventure turned fantasy quest full of magic, the wonder of wildlife, healing and hope. Elements of both the adventure and fantasy genres combine seemlessly to take readers from the wonder of the Mongolian mountains to a world where spirits challenge and protect. Not only will this make a beautiful class read aloud for Key Stage 2, but also a stunning example of cross-genre writing which will help young writers break the mould of their typical writing and explore something new.

Another triumph from the pen of Abi Elphinstone! As always Abi has written likeable characters, a gripping storyline and, her specialty, an amazing magical world! I really enjoyed reading Goodnight Silver and appreciated the messages woven into the tale. I will definitely put this forward to my class as a contender for one of our class novels this year.

Goodnight Silver
By Abi Elphinstone
Published by Simon & Schuster Ltd

Are you a pessimist?
Do you always think the worst?
Do you need a story that will warm your heart and fill your mind with hope?
Abi Elphinstone has created just that: a story full of adventures, friendships, loyalty and hope.
Follow Emmy, a pessimist, who just can’t seem to get things right, into Whisperfell.
You will travel through snowy mountains and never ending landscapes.
You will immerse yourself in dangerous situations, good versus evil.
You will fall in love with the animal kingdom where freedom is the utmost priority.

Abi Elphinstone, best-selling author of Sky Song, has written a beautiful yet powerful middle grade adventure story that will fly off your classroom/ library shelves.

When Emmy becomes separated from her parents by a blizzard in the mountains of Mongolia, she assumes the worst: lost, lonely and never being found!
But whilst sheltering in a cave, a snow leopard cub befriends Emmy. Both have nothing, no family, no food, only the shelter of the cave. However, stories don’t end there, so along comes a boy who believes in magic and impossible things.

Determined to reunite the snow leopard cub with his mother, Emmy finds herself on a journey to a secret land, where wild animals live in peace, Whisperfell.

Will Whisperfell trust Emmy?
Can she solve the mystery of the enchanted maps?
Can Emmy reach Whisperfell before the hunters close in?

Gorgeously illustrated throughout, this epic animal adventure will make a brilliant class read and engage all from the very first page.

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