The Secret Hen House Theatre
Since the death of her mother, Hannah’s family life has been chaotic.
Ignored by their dad, who’s absorbed as much by his grief as by the challenges of running their hopelessly dilapidated farm, Hannah and her brothers and sisters are left to fend for themselves. While the younger kids run riot round the farm, Hannah decides she wants to do something special, something that connects her to her theatre-loving mum. She’s going to write and put on a play in the overgrown hen house she’s found in a remote corner of the farm. Then the farm is threatened with demolition, and Hannah – with her best friend – have to find a way to save it. Perhaps one of the props they’re using in the play is valuable after all…
A beautifully written debut novel for 8-12 year-olds: The Swish of the Curtain meets I Capture the Castle.
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Helen says: “When I first met my husband, I told him endless stories of my childhood on a farm, writing plays with my friends for our theatre in an old shed. One day, he kindly suggested that I should stop bombarding him with all this stuff and turn it into a children’s book instead. The idea grabbed me immediately. I wanted to write a book which had plenty of adventure and an element of wish-fulfilment but was rooted in the reality of contemporary rural life. Writing the book was the most absorbing and fun thing I’d ever done. I had followed Nosy Crow’s blog since they began and I loved their energy and enthusiasm, so when they told me they wanted to publish my book, it really was a dream come true.”
Kirsty says: “When we first read the manuscript, we knew that this was a winner. It’s beautifully written and the characters come alive as soon as you meet them. It’s funny, moving and a hugely satisfying read. It reminded everyone of books they’d read and loved as children, so we’re keen to ensure it reaches all of today’s readers, too. And this is Helen’s first book – can’t wait to see all the others!”
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Reviews
“Helen Peters’ debut evokes the strange wonder of life on a farm with real affection … Hannah’s own problems have to compete with family-sized troubles and the sibling relationships are sweet and realistic. Through Hannah’s inspiring determination the secret theatre blooms into life, and like this story, it’s magical.”
“An engaging tale about family and friendship”
“A beautifully written debut novel”
“One of my favourite summer reads: a contemporary family adventure with secrets, wonderful characters and lots of heart. Dreamy girls will love the drama-competition plot, with nostalgic echoes of The Swish of the Curtain.”
“Absolutely delightful … Astonishingly accomplished for a first novel, it is on one level an engaging story about a group of children determinedly staging a play in a disused old henhouse and, on another, a warm-hearted and compassionate account of a family coming to terms with loss. I enjoyed the proof so much that I read it in two sittings.”