We are pleased to announce that 'Mission: Find Mom', a poignant story of two children inadvertently abandoned by their carer following their mother to a Scottish island has been Shortlisted for the Rubery Book Awards Children's and Young Adult category. The Rubery is an internationally recognised award for Independent Publishers and self published authors. Being selected for a Rubery does not have the financial penalties associated with the big awards such as the Nero (formerly the Costa) so doesn't exclude independent new authors or presses.

Mission: Find Mum is illustrated by Dawn Treacher, who was shortlisted by the Rubery Awards in 2023.

You can follow this link to the Rubery Book Award's web site.

"Isla comes home from school one day and expecting to find her mum there as always.  But as time passes, it become more and more obvious that her mum is not coming back.  Then her uncle and aunt bring her little brother, Lac, home and tell Isla that she and her brother can’t come and stay with them as arranged with their mum, because her uncle is about to have an operation.  Isla doesn’t know what to do.  Her mum doesn’t answer her phone.  Eventually, after a few days of pretending all is well, but gradually realising she can’t keep it going for much longer, she discovers from her mother’s computer that her mum has bought a ticket to Mora, a Scottish island.  Isla makes a decision to retrace their mother’s steps, taking Lac with her.  The journey is fraught with danger as they try to avoid all adults with their intrusive questions.  It’s a long way, a train journey to Scotland, and then the ferry.  They eventually set up camp on the beach, only to have the tent destroyed in a storm.  Isla perceives the people on Mora as hostile, and some are, so she struggles to know who she can trust.  There are some clever twists before the situation is finally resolved with a satisfying conclusion.  It’s an excellent, convincing story with considerable tension and plenty of unpredictable turns.  Isla’s character is well-developed as she summons the resourcefulness to undertake and survive such a difficult mission.  A compulsive read."