The Books

The Space We're In

by Balen, Katya

ISBN: 9781526601971

A young boy struggles to help his autistic brother when their mother becomes ill We are her world and her universe and her space and her stars and her sky and her galaxy and her cosmos too Frank is ten. He likes cottage pie and football and cracking codes. Max is five. He eats only Quavers and some colours are too bright for him and if he has to wear a new T-shirt he melts down down down. Sometimes Frank wishes Mum could still do huge paintings of stars and asteroids like she used to, but since Max was born she just doesn't have time. When tragedy hits Frank and Max's lives like a comet, can Frank piece together a universe in which he and Max aren't light years apart?

Reviews

Grace - Kirkby College - 2022

Really good. The plot twist of their family loss is so unexpected and takes a huge toll on Frank and his family. Frank's character development is really nice to witness as well

Amber - Kirkby College - 2022

A pleasure to read.

Sophia - Ashfield School - 2022

It was an interesting point of view and writing structure with some good key characters and plot points. It was interesting to see Frank's perspective on max and his whole family situation

Sophie - Ashfield School - 2022

It was very fun to read it drew me in and I couldn’t put it down! I loved it!

Hollie - Ashfield School - 2022

My favourite types of book are this type however this book was a bit disappointing for me because the storyline was too slow and I got bored easily. One of the good things though is the perspective on the book I also LOVED the fact that the chapters were in code that was like a whole different mystery altogether I would recommend this book to you as it is engaging and fun.

Zeus - Kirkby College - 2022

I like the book and the way it was constructed, especially the coded chapter names, but the main events took a long time to start (midway).

Maisy - Ashfield School - 2022

It’s a very good book it shows that everyone is who they are and you don’t need to be embarrassed of anyone for who they are

Lizzie - Nottingham Girls High School - 2022

I liked this book a lot. The story is so well written! It was very touching and I love how the title links to the book so much.

Olivia - Nottingham Girls High School - 2022

This book was absolutely amazing. It was very heartbreaking at times but also astonishingly happy, which made me feel happy too! I strongly recommend this book.

Alexander - Rushcliffe School - 2022

I really enjoyed The Space We’re In about Max and Frank, as it showed me that it can be difficult to get what you want and get over things.

Sandhya - Nottingham Girls High School - 2022

I love this book - it's my favourite. It is more realistic than the others and had a great sort of sad storyline.

Ruqaiyah - Nottingham Girls High School - 2022

The Space We’re In is a moving story about a normal boy who struggles through school, friends and home with his autistic brother and ill mother. I liked the book, however it wouldn’t be something I’d usually pick up off the shelf.

Varshna - Nottingham Girls High School - 2022

It is very heart-touching and I really liked the character's personalities. I really enjoyed reading it.

Neve - Nottingham Girls High School - 2022

I love ‘The Space We’re In’ because it makes you think from a different perspective and I really related to the younger character. Also the storyline was very interesting.

Niamh - Nottingham Girls High School - 2022

This book is amazing! It really opens your eyes but can be very sad at times. You can really feel sympathy for the characters especially for Frank. I also like the cipher wheel. Really recommend it!

Esme - Nottingham Girls High School - 2022

I liked the story and it was a bit sad. It was very interesting and different.

Ottilie - Rushcliffe School - 2022

Wonderful, I think the emotion shown in this book was so amazing and I loved watching Frank and Sam's relationship grow. I also thought that the ending was amazingly done, It wasn't completely happy but the characters had managed to come together and make it happy.

Keira - Kirkby College - 2022

I really like this book and I think it has a really good message. I really enjoyed reading this book and I think others will too.

Eliza - Kimberley School - 2022

The Space We're In This was an amazing book with sadness, happiness and it really makes you think. Amazing