This book, aimed at readers aged 9-12, has been shortlisted for the Wainwright Children's Prize for Fiction. The winner will be announced on 10 September.

While it has some beautiful descriptions of wildlife and the natural world, it is also a mystery and an adventure and explores family and friendship as well as grief and loss.

Ettie lives with her grandmother in the countryside, in a cottage isolated from the rest of the community. Her father isn't around and her mother is away for work and unable to return due to a pandemic.

Life was fun. Ettie loved being with her grandmother and learning all that she had to share about plants, herbs and the natural world.

Left to wander the countryside on her own, one day Ettie goes to the woods and sees what she thinks is a deer and a fox. It turns out to be a mysterious girl called Cora and her red dog.

The two girls become friends but Cora encourages Ettie to push boundaries emotionally and physically. Together they explore the forbidden quarry. It's a dangerous place which Ettie's grandmother has warned her against. Eventually the reason behind her apparent overprotectiveness is revealed. 

It's a lovely read and raises issues about individual responsibility, secrets and lies, and respecting a voice of experience and authority.