It’s a fantastic independent book seller that will actually be responsive and select appropriate books for you. The descriptions of the setting, the tarns and the wildflowers all bring the world to life as the reader is drawn into the adventure. The only person who can make him smile is Sally, an evacuee from Tyneside living with sour old Farmer Scarcross who is their nearest neighbour. Cuckoo Summer tells the story of local boy Tommy whose family have been farmers on the fells for generations. Tommy’s learned some of her Geordie speech patterns, enough to know that the German gadgie she’s discovered in the woods is the airman who’s parachuted out of the plane crashed in Woundale woods.

For reasons of their own, they are determined to keep the news secret but, for all Tommy's local knowledge and all Sally's resourcefulness, can this be possible? You guys are such a force for good and I am a passionate supporter of Indie booksellers, so I'm so happy this worked out well (I'd love to know how many books were sold if you have it to hand - it felt like quite a lot!

Set in the Lake District in 1940 Cuckoo Summer is a beautiful novel of friendship, secrets, loyalty and childhood innocence, bringing to life both the people and the landscape of fells and tarns of the author’s beloved Lakeland. It is the summer of 1940, and Tommy lives with his three Aunts and young niece on a farm in Woundale in the Lake District. An interesting and nostalgic look at sheep farmers and countryside history, as well as quite a page turner for this young audience. An originality comes from the tender friendship between the two, particularly in the form of the language they use - the runaway in her Geordie accent and words, and the farmer's son in terms of his affinity with the natural landscape surrounding him. Your comment about teachers who love to “do voices” made me laugh, I have always loved to “do voices” but a north-east accent is one I’d struggle with!

Cuckoo Summer: This adventure novel, set in World War 2, is about friendship, triumph over adversity and resilience. A great addition to the genre, carefully crafted, and bringing great gusts of Lakeland hill farming with it .The story centres on two children, one resident farmer, being brought up by three aunts while the men are away fighting, and one evacuee, who turns out to be a runaway. This starts a chain of events that leads to the uncovering of secrets about Sally’s past and a summer of adventure that neither child will ever forget.