The Valley of Lost Secrets

Product Information

Lesley Parr's stunning debut takes us to Wales at the start of WWII with a group of young evacuees, They find (and lose) friendships but also stumble across a long lost secret.

The Valley of Lost Secrets | BookTrust

Immediately you start rooting for the evacuees, Ronnie and Jimmy. I can only imagine how hard it would have been for some evacuees to acclimatise to such a change - it was represented very well in the writing.

And still, I admired how the author is able to incorporate all the little details that highlight the time being depicted, the months from Sept '39 to May '40, where the world was still tethering on the uncertainty of an impending potential war. The gas mask boxes the children had to carry around at all times - the jeers of the disdainful villagers express at the evacuees appearance in their town - these little mentions were so well-balanced against the actual setting of the quaint little town and the coal mines where most of the men work and the difficulty of their line of work that came with it. 🙏🏻🙏🏻 Armistice Day: A Collection of Remembrance - Spark Interest and Educate Children about Historical Moments Ronnie tightens his grip on my hand and I know he’s thinking about his Dinky van again. Those men – whoever they are – had better be careful with his case. If he loses that van, he won’t stop crying till the end of the war. Throughout the book we see Jimmy's attitude towards the Thomas family changing, he becomes closer to them, especially Mr Thomas. The exchanges between these two characters are beautifully written, and are very moving. Lesley Parr is an outstanding new voice in children's literature and definitely one to look out for! - Snaily Can Fly

The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr | Goodreads

I liked a lot of the characters but my favourite was probably Florence because she was clever and humorous. Night Mayor Franklefink has vanished from the Transylvanian Express - and it's up to you to solve the case! Part of the Solve Your Own Mystery seri... Whilst I loved all the main characters I can’t move on without speaking about lovely Ronnie... if you know you know, but oh my gosh my heart! I would quite happily read a Ronnie sequel *hint cough hint* ... bless him he was the sweetest!

When a reward is offered for proof of its existence, Jason and his friends are determined to find the creature first. But for Jason it's more than a quest - the money is a way for him and his brother to stay together.

The Valley of Lost Secrets | Book Review - Libraries 4 Schools The Valley of Lost Secrets | Book Review - Libraries 4 Schools

He didn’t know, did he? He didn’t know we were coming here. He just knew it wasn’t a city.’ I look around again. ‘There must be different types of countryside.’ Someone shuffles behind me; I look around to see Florence Campbell trying to smooth down her hair. It won’t make any difference; there are so many nits it’s practically moving on its own. She sees me looking and pokes out her tongue. I edge forward so no nits can jump on me. Ronnie caught them once and Nan had to rub his head with Lethane oil; he wailed for hours and coughed for weeks. No wonder the nits cleared off. Whilst this is a story of evacuees and the second World War, the war itself does not feature that much; it is all about the place and the sense of place comes across particularly strongly. I could picture the town and how it must have seemed to the incoming inner-city children. This is not a war story, but one of mystery, belonging and friendship and I am looking forward to reading the next book from Lesley Parr. Though this is a really great middle grade adventure/mystery with plenty of humor, Parr has explored some important themes in this novel, such as what makes a family and a community, forgiveness and acceptance, loss and guilt, courage and cowardice. The Valley of Lost Secrets is perfect for fans of Nina Bawden's Carrie's War, Michelle Magorian's Good Night, Mr. Tom, Emma Carroll's Letters from the Lighthouse, Kate Albus's A Place to Hang the Moon, and Kimberly Brubaker Bradley's The War That Saved My Life - all evacuation stories, all unique. When money goes missing from the Vicar's church, St. Michael's, people suspect it was stolen by the evacuees. It's clear they are welcomed by some people in Llanbryn, but not others and that there is a deep division between the people who go the St. Michael's and those who go to chapel, like the Thomas and the Hughes families.Finding an ally in someone he never expects, they set out together to uncover the secrets that lie with the skull. What they discover will change Jimmy – and the village – forever. What’s he talking about? Adventures happen in jungles or on raging rivers or in the Wild West. Not here. Not in Wales with a whimpering little brother and a custard cream. But Jimmy is still determined to find out who the skull belongs to and why is it in the tree? And perhaps, of all people, Alun Thomas has the answer. Author Guy Bass introduces SCRAP, about one robot who tried to protect the humans on his planet against an army of robots. Now the humans need his... Evocative and heartfelt, The Valley of Lost Secrets already reads like a classic. A celebration of kindness and friendship at a time of upheaval, it's gripping, heart-breaking and yet full of hope. I loved it with all my heart

The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr | Waterstones

Lesley Parr is slowly climbing the list of Middle Grade authors that I have grown to love. Along with the beautiful colorful covers that grace her wonderful stories, she writes with such skill that she weaves you into the story and allows you to be a part of the moment that is happening to her young protagonists. Jimmy's loneliness at being isolated in a new place resonated with me, that 'I already feel like a parcel, wrapped up, labelled and sent far away,' - as someone who doesn't know how to fit in and belong - yet, still wants to. His feelings of nurture and care for his younger brother, Ronnie were as expressive as his sudden bursts of indignation of outburst at Ronnie's zealous spirit and brash, forgiving behavior. 😔 This novel is debut and whilst historical fiction, it feels somehow fresh and modern. The characters are marvellously portrayed and the relationships beautifully depicted - particularly between Jimmy and Ronnie, but also with Jimmy and the adults. The sense of mistrust from the community of these children coming in from the city is very clearly woven into the story and is as relevant today as always. The idea that if you are a newcomer from an entirely different place you must be bad, is a familiar theme in the current climate as well. Here we are, a wriggling, squiggling line of schoolchildren. Duff’s at the front with his little sister. She’s even younger than Ronnie; too young to understand any of this. I can’t see many faces; most are looking at our teacher, Miss Goodhew. Some of us seem excited, some curious, but I bet everyone’s nervous. Even the ones pretending not to be. Maybe even Duff. I wonder how many Joneses are in this place. All the people, except a young-looking couple on the front row, sit down again. The woman nods and points at Lillian Baker, who almost does a curtsy before moving along the stage and down the steps.Mr Bevan clears his throat and says in his booming voice, ‘As president of the Miners Institute and representative of the people of Llanbryn, I’d like to welcome our London visitors.’ She smells like Nan,’ Ronnie whispers. His lip’s wobbling again, so I take his hand and give it a squeeze, just like Dad would do.