Cuckoo Song

Set in 1920s England, eleven year old Triss wakes up after falling into a river with a strange, voracious appetite and a sense that she is an imposter. She discovers she is a 'changeling,' a creature of twigs and magic left behind by the Shrike to replace the real Triss. Alongside her resentful sister Pen, she must navigate a world of shifting memories and clockwork magic to find her place before she unravels. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with the death of a sibling (Triss's brother in WWI) and the resulting parental grief in a very direct, grounded way. The supernatural elements serve as a metaphor for identity and neurodivergence, but the emotional stakes are realistic. The resolution is bittersweet and hopeful, emphasizing self-actualization over conformity. EMOTIONAL ARC: It begins with a sense of dread and alienation, building into a tense, high-stakes mystery. The ending provides a cathartic release, moving from horror to a profound sense of self-acceptance. IDEAL READER: A twelve to fourteen year old who feels like they are 'performing' for their parents or who struggles with a sense of being 'other.' It is perfect for the child who finds comfort in the macabre and likes stories that don't talk down to them. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might see their child withdrawing or expressing that they 'don't know who they are anymore' during the transition to middle school. PARENT PREP: Parents should be aware of the scene where Triss realizes her body is made of debris, which can be unsettling. The book is deeply rooted in post-WWI trauma, so some historical context about the 'Lost Generation' helps. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger readers will focus on the 'creepy' factor and the mystery; older teens will resonate with the philosophical questions about the soul and the ethics of the parents' choices. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many changeling myths, Hardinge gives the 'monster' the agency and the POV, forcing the reader to empathize with the replacement rather than the stolen child.