Book Review: Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson

Norah and her Dad live in temporary accommodation, relying on food banks and other charities to get the essentials for survival. Life is tough for Norah. Apart from hunger and lack of clean clothes, she has to deal with school bullies, evictions, and a suspicion that Dad is keeping things from her. Her love for animals plus a propensity to find animals in need of help provide a little joy and solace but when the nest of baby robins she has been caring for is taken, Norah is determined to get them back. Adam is in remission from cancer and longs to be allowed to live a normal life, but his over-protective parents, especially his mother, won’t allow that. When Adam rescues the baby robins, he crosses paths with Norah, and they discover a shared love for animals, and a mutual need for a friend. But with conflict at home for both children, can their burgeoning friendship survive, and when the flood waters rise, can they work together to save their animal friends?

The story is told through the first person perspective of both children, and the characters – as always with Victoria WIlliamson – are layered and engaging. Norah’s accommodation difficulties and her worries about her father are convincing as are Adam’s fears and frustrations. I really like that things are not as they seem in either of their worlds, not even for Chelsea, who bullies Norah at school. And of course the children’s love for the animals leads to a lot of tension as they attempt to rescue their animals as the flood waters rise.

There is a dog in this book so it’s over to TOTP and Knitted TOTP for a few words (both dogs look quite pleased so I take it they enjoyed the story.)

Knitted TOTP: Bingo was the real star of this book.

TOTP: I totally agree. Like every dog, Bingo was loyal and faithful, brave and caring.

Knitted TOTP: He also lives –

TOTP: We’re not meant to give spoilers!

Knitted TOTP (ignoring the interjection): This author has clearly listened to our advice and didn’t bludgeon or torture Bingo, or have him behave in any way unworthy of our canine code. Top marks for canine rep, Victoria, we’re happy to have helped.*

TOTP: I’d have liked Bingo to be in the book a little more, but he sure was the heart of the story.

The characters are all great, but Bingo and Lady (the neighbour’s cat) bring a lot to the story too. An engrossing story with a heart-warming and very satisfying ending. If you haven’t read it already, I highly recommend you pick up a cop of Norah’s Ark.

(* Note – the book was published before TOTP and Knitted TOTP read any book by Victoria Williamson, so their belief they were a factor in how Bingo was depicted is actually not true.)

Valinora Troy

, , , , , , , ,
, , , , , ,
←
→

22 responses to “Book Review: Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson”

    • I think you’d really like it, Greg. She’s a super writer, and the situations the characters are in are ones lots of kids will relate to (and we can all empathise with) plus the animal rescue element is heart-warming. Thanks for reading!

      Like

      Reply

  8. Happy to hear that TOPT and knitted TOPT have strong literary convictions too. I would expect nothing less from them! I was surprised to find a non-fantasy book on your blog. Congratulations in expanding your horizons!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • Thanks Carol, I generally prefer fantasy but I really like the author (who writes in many genres) and TOTP wanted to read one of her books where the dog survives! 🙂 Thanks for reading!

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment