How to Fly with Broken Wings
Twelve-year-old Willem has Aspergers Syndrome and two main aims in life: to fly and to make at least two friends of his own age. But all the other boys from the Beckham Estate do is make him jump off things. First his desk - and now the wall. As his toes teeter on the edge, Sasha Bradley gives him a tiny little wink. Might she become his friend?
Bullied by Finn and his gang the Beckham Estate Boyz, Willem has no choice but to jump. As he flies through the air he flaps his arms, wishing he could fly and escape into the clouds. Instead he comes crashing down and breaks his ankle.
Sasha, angry with herself for not stopping Finn and his Boyz, is determined to put things right. And soon, while the gangs riot on their estate, Willem and Sasha form an unlikely friendship. Because they share a secret. Sasha longs to fly too.
And when Magic Man Archie arrives with stories of war-flying spitfires, he will change the lives of the kids on the Beckham Estate for ever. And perhaps find a way for Willem and Sasha to fly ...
Awards
Winner of Peters Book Of The Year. Nominated for Carnegie medal and winner of Calderdale Book Of The Year, Shrewsbury Book Award, Hillingdon Book Award & Weald Book Award 2016
Reviews
“... a story that will both break you and rebuild, ground you, yet make you fly! A perfect addition to any library (or home)”
“An absorbing, well crafted read full of surprises… you may need to keep tissues handy”
“This book tugged at every single one of my heart strings… a truly mesmerising read that will have you shouting at the page and re-evaluating how you look at/treat people you com across in daily life”
“The writing is elegant and flowing and the observation of the teen and tween minded is spot on”