Space We're In

From the author of October, October, winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal 2022 We are her world and her universe and her space and her stars and her sky and her galaxy and her cosmos too. Frank is ten. He likes cottage pie and football and cracking codes. Max is five. He eats only Quavers and some colours are too bright for him and if he has to wear a new T-shirt he melts down down down. Sometimes Frank wishes Mum could still do huge paintings of stars and asteroids like she used to, but since Max was born she just doesn't have time. When tragedy hits Frank and Max's lives like a comet, can Frank piece together a universe in which he and Max aren't light years apart? This jaw-dropping, heartbreaking and hopeful novel from debut author Katya Balen will remind you we are all made of stardust. For fans of thought-provoking, moving middle grade from Wonder to Skellig.

Review: A tear-jerker about family that shows us things that are important and true, and promotes compassion. * Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week *
The struggles of those with autism and those who love them in a book with an achingly huggable main character * Kirkus Reviews *
This sensitive, heartbreaking story boasts a wonderful narrative voice and secret codes that add another layer of intrigue * Guardian *
A brave and beautiful book with a big heart. I loved it. * Jenny Downham *
This is a moving, absorbing novel about a pair of brothers - one is autistic, one is not, and I came to love both of them * Joanne Limburg, author of The Autistic Alice *
What Balen captures in Frank's voice is the authentic experience of being ten and facing up to all the difficulties that brings. His story, and that of his family, will live long in the hearts and minds of its readers * A.F. Harrold *
Invigorating, enlightening and exciting are the only words that describe the opening chapters of The Space We're In, as 10-year-old wild boy Frank and his (yep, you guessed it) autistic brother, Max, prepare for their first day back to school * James Sinclair, Autistic & Unapologetic *
A truly extraordinary book ... It packs a pretty powerful punch but is a beautifully written and ultimately uplifting story with stunning artwork. Warning: you will need tissues * Angels and Urchins *
Laura Carlin's monochrome illustrations combine artistic skill with a childlike element that complements the text * Books for Keeps *
Stunningly beautiful, I cried and smiled my way through this book in turns [...] Katya Balen has captured the sense of wanting to be grown up, but still being a child perfectly. * North Somerset Teacher's Book Awards Blog *
Now and then, and only now and then, a book changes us. The Space We're In does that. It's ferocious and it's visionary. * Kevin Crossley-Holland *
A beautiful book * Books of the Year, Books for Keeps *