Sally Nicholls completed an MA in Writing for Young People at Bath Spa University (UK). She wrote her first novel, WAYS TO LIVE FOREVER, when she was twenty-three, and it received three starred reviews and was named an ALA Notable Book. Sally Nicholls lives in London.
Molly and her sister, Hannah, live with their grandparents in
Northumberland, on the border between England and Scotland. Their
mother has died and their father, unable to cope, has left them
with his parents temporarily, though it is becoming more of a
permanent situation, much to the girls' dismay. A ray of hope shows
itself to Molly with the appearance of my man, the Oak King or
Green Man, the spring and summer figure in the life cycles of
seasons. A mythical figure-as is his nemesis, the Holly King or
Beast Man, ruler of fall and winter months-he is for Molly all too
real. She witnesses as he perishes in the face of the Beast Man,
only to reemerge as an unruly, adolescent, Puck-like figure when
spring returns. As seasons change, so do Molly and her family
members. Her father slowly recovers and rediscovers that his girls
need him, and Molly begins making friends at school. She still
takes comfort in her man, and through him sees the never-ending
struggles of life. At first somewhat slow, the book proves to be
captivating as Molly's fantasy/coping skills introduce her to a
life cycle that is painful, yet part of a continuum, and not solely
the unbearable loss she initially experiences. For thoughtful
readers, this tale is a gem. British lingo may be a bit unfamiliar
to American children, but it in no way hinders understanding the
dialogue in this meaningful story. -- School Library Journal
This atmospheric novel, which draws upon the legend of the Green
Man, is a study in grief and renewal, reminiscent of Katherine
Paterson's Bridge to Terabithia (1977) and K. L. Going's The Garden
of Eve (2007). Molly and Hannah are sisters of wildly different
temperaments who have recently lost their beloved mother to an
aneurism. In the wake of the tragedy, they are sent to live with
their grandparents while their father tries to pull himself
together. Molly is a dreamer with a rich inner world, so when she
discovers a mysterious man in the woods who is capable of growing
flowers and trees at the touch of a finger, no one believes her.
Molly, though, is convinced that the man is real and might be able
to resurrect her mother. The story's underlying themes focus on how
the natural cycle of winter to spring mirrors the emotional healing
of a family. Moving seamlessly between fantasy and reality, this
title offers a thoughtful, touching exploration of how we survive
our darkest hours. -- Booklist
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