The Hideaway

The wonderful long-awaited second novel from Pam Smy, the celebrated author and illustrator of Thornhill.

Covering themes of families, childhood, domestic violence, being separated and reunited, this is an important and beautifully illustrated book for middle grade readers right up to adults.

The wonderful long-awaited second novel from Pam Smy, celebrated author and illustrator of Thornhill.

The Hideaway tells the story of a boy, Billy McKenna, who runs away from a difficult situation at home and takes refuge in an overgrown graveyard. While hiding there he meets an elderly man who is tending the graves in preparation for a day in November when something magical is set to happen.

The book is written in two alternating narratives, both different aspects of the same story. One thread tells of Billy's experience of hiding away in the graveyard, his mixed-up feelings and emotions, and the supernatural events he eventually witnesses. The other tells of his mother's situation at home and the police search for Billy. Covering themes of family, childhood, separation and reunion, domestic violence and doing the right thing, this is an important and beautiful book for middle grade readers right up to adults.

Billy's story is illustrated throughout with tonal and textured black and white drawings, until the event on All Souls' Eve, when the text gives way to a series of double page images of the supernatural happening.

The Hideaway is a compelling, exciting and emotional story that will stay with you long after you finish the last page.

Reviews

Readers love The Hideaway:

“My year 5 class loved this story and it triggered lots of debates about unhealthy relationships. Can’t recommend enough."

“Wonderful story and visuals throughout."

“Another amazing fusion of image and text."

"A wonderful book! I could hardly put it down. Beautifully and simply written for children yet tackles really hard hitting issues. The drawings are just as lovely too. Can't recommend enough!"

"My 8 year old was reading this for his 30 minutes assigned reading and when the timer went off he asked if he could please continue reading… that has never happened before. It really pulls you in and makes you think."

"Such an important read. I will be reading more from this Author in the future."

About the author

Pam Smy studied Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, where she now lectures part-time. Pam has illustrated books by Conan Doyle (The Hound of the Baskervilles), Julia Donaldson (Follow the Swallow) and Kathy Henderson (Hush, Baby, Hush!), among others. She lives in Cambridge. Her first novel, Thornhill, was a critical and commercial success, shortlisted for the Waterstones Children's Book Prize, the UKLA Book Awards, and the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal 2018 and winning the 2018 British Book Design & Production Award for Graphic Novels. Pam was the inaugural winner of the Invisible Prize for Illustrators in 2020.