Changes

''Little Bits of Sky'' is a truly, truly, truly lovely story. It's rather difficult to credit it as a debut novel because it is completely comfortable in its own skin from the first page to the last. It doesn't try too hard. It doesn't proselytise. It's just there, feeling deeply authentic and real. I believed in Ira and her straightforward narration contains layers of subtle truths about loss and dislocation but also about love and friendship and finding belonging in the most unexpected places. The supporting cast adds well-rounded characters throughout, from Zac, who is loving and infuriating in equal measure, through Jimmy, the poster child of angry looked after kids, and kindly Silas and Hortense, to Mrs Clanks, who isn't nearly as hard as her uncompromising exterior would have you believe. Uplifting and heartwarming without ever being twee, this debut will find a place in the heart of readers of any age. It deserves to do well. I hope it does.