The Boy Who Lost His Spark

This enchanting chapter book explores the emotional journey of Jem, a boy who struggles to adapt after his family moves to a small town. As his unhappiness grows, mysterious mischief and chaos erupt around him. His sister, Verity, attributes these events to a "nouka," an ancient, mischievous creature born from a long-extinct volcano in the nearby hill. While Jem initially dismisses the idea, it is through the nouka's magical mayhem that he slowly begins to connect with his new surroundings, find a sense of belonging, and ultimately rediscover his own inner joy and confidence. It's a heartwarming tale about processing big feelings, the magic of new beginnings, and finding home in unexpected places.

The award-winning author of Hamnet rejoins the illustrator of Where Snow Angels Go for a mischievous tale of ancient magic and modern-day moodiness. Someone here was sad but pretending not to be. . . . Someone—and this thought made a smile curl up on its face—needed some nouka-mischief. When Jem and his family first move to a small town, he struggles with his new life. The unhappier he grows, the stranger things become—mischief and chaos seem to bloom everywhere. His sister Verity is sure it is the work of a “nouka,” an ancient creature that lives deep down inside the hill above the town—a creature forged from the sparks of a long-extinct volcano. Jem is adamant that there is no such thing. But it is through the magic and mayhem of this small mystical creature that Jem finally finds a sense of belonging, a sense of home—and once again discovers a spark of magic.