Finally Home

The Valley Of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr is a marvellous children’s novel for ages ten and over.

The novel is written in the first person from the point of view of twelve year old Jimmy, who along with his brother six year old Ronnie, is evacuated to a Welsh mining village. The reader witnesses how hard it is to settle when everything has been ripped away from you. It almost feels like a betrayal if you start to feel happy. Jimmy experiences many conflicting emotions as he receives unconditional kindness.

There is a beautiful caring bond between the brothers as Jimmy knows just what Ronnie needs to flourish.

The evacuees from London meet both kindness and hostility from the locals, both young and old. Those who should know better are quick to point the finger and criticise and accuse.