Mission: Find Mum

£10.00

Isla and Lac’s mum is missing, but has left clues. The children travel to Scotland camping and tracking their mum. Isla and Lac succeed in their mission? What else will they find… and lose?

Shortlisted for the Rubery ‘Children’s and Young Adult’ Award 2025

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Categories: , , , , , Author: Jo Somerset

Description

Isla and Lac’s mum is missing, but has left clues, and an emergency credit card. The children travel from Birmingham to Mora, a Scottish island, camping and tracking their mum. Hampered by challenges and unsure of who to trust, can Isla and Lac succeed in their mission? What else will they find… and lose?

For ages 10 and up.

“A beautiful, gripping, realistic story about a brave girl and her little brother on a seemingly impossible quest. An unpredictable rollercoaster from start to finish. There’s a wonderful sense of place, and the ending satisfied me completely.”
– Clare Weze, author of The Lightning Catcher and The Storm Swimmer

“By the end of this touching and unpredictable coming-of-age story, the Mission has gathered layers of meaning in an ever-deepening mystery and adventure. Just when it looks like Isla and Lac have accomplished one mission, another begins. A unique tale with a vivid setting and dynamic characters: I was hooked to the end.”
– Jennifer Burkinshaw, author of Igloo and Happiness Seeker

“Such a brilliant read”
– Jackie Kay, Scottish poet and playwright

Rubery Award Review

"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."

Reviews

"A beautiful, gripping, realistic story about a brave girl and her little brother on a seemingly impossible quest. An unpredictable rollercoaster from start to finish. There’s a wonderful sense of place, and the ending satisfied me completely." – Clare Weze, author of The Lightning Catcher and The Storm Swimmer

"By the end of this touching and unpredictable coming-of-age story, the Mission has gathered layers of meaning in an ever-deepening mystery and adventure. Just when it looks like Isla and Lac have accomplished one mission, another begins. A unique tale with a vivid setting and dynamic characters: I was hooked to the end." – Jennifer Burkinshaw, author of Igloo and Happiness Seeker

"Isla and her brother suffer any child's worst nightmare: the disappearance of their main caregiver. But inspired by fictional heroes, and helped along by the kindness of strangers, they overcome obstacles in the real world to uncover family secrets. A heartwarming story of resilience, tenacity and love." Jane Houng: Under Lion Rock

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