The Raven’s Gift Written by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Reviewed by Lilyana, Age 12

I really enjoyed reading this book. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy reading it as it isn’t my usual style however, in the end, I am so happy I read it. It is about losing the ones you loved.

After Harry’s sister’s death, the world feels like it is collapsing. The author describes it as being sucked into a black hole, which is a perfect way to show how grief feels heavy and endless. Harry doesn’t know how to talk about it, and his family is grieving in their own different ways. What keeps him connected to Frankie are the ravens that live in the big tree outside Frankie’s bedroom window. He starts watching them, feeding them, learning their calls. Looking after them makes him feel closer to her.

My favourite character is Charley because she looked after Harry and helped him with things because she knew it was the right thing to do. She also did it because Frankie would have wanted her best friend to do so.

What I loved most about this book is how honest it is about grief. It doesn’t try to make everything okay quickly. Harry feels angry, guilty and sad all at once. It teaches you that talking to someone instead of keeping everything bottled up inside can really help, even when it is hard.

I would 100% recommend it to anyone aged 10 and up who likes emotional, nature-filled stories. It is the kind of book that sticks in your head for a long time.