Published by Bloomsbury
Julia Green’s novel Drawing With Light is a beautifully written, tender tale of 16- year-old Emily whose mother left her and her older sister when Emily was only two. Green evokes the trials and tribulations of living in a cramped caravan during a cold winter while the family’s new house is being built. Emily’s older sister has just left for university, leaving her alone with Dad and pregnant stepmother. It is also a story of young love with Emily becoming involved with Seb and experiencing all the emotions of an evolving friendship.
We see everything through Emily’s eyes as she infuriates and frustrates us, often choosing to say the wrong thing at the wrong time, jeopardising her fledgling relationship. Green takes us through Emily’s tentative journey of discovery and increasing maturity in a very convincing way which many girls will be able to identify with.
The quality of the writing will also serve as a useful model for budding writers to learn from.
I became so engrossed in Emily’s life that I was left desiring a sequel to find out what happens next!