The Space We're In

A tear-jerker about family that shows us things that are important and true, and promotes compassion. * Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times, Children's Book of the Week * The struggles of those with autism and those who love them in a book with an achingly huggable main character * Kirkus Reviews * This sensitive, heartbreaking story boasts a wonderful narrative voice and secret codes that add another layer of intrigue * Guardian * A brave and beautiful book with a big heart. I loved it. * Jenny Downham * This is a moving, absorbing novel about a pair of brothers - one is autistic, one is not, and I came to love both of them * Joanne Limburg, author of The Autistic Alice * What Balen captures in Franks voice is the authentic experience of being ten and facing up to all the difficulties that brings. His story, and that of his family, will live long in the hearts and minds of its readers * A.F. Harrold * Invigorating, enlightening and exciting are the only words that describe the opening chapters of The Space Were In, as 10-year-old wild boy Frank and his (yep, you guessed it) autistic brother, Max, prepare for their first day back to school * James Sinclair, Autistic & Unapologetic * A truly extraordinary book ... It packs a pretty powerful punch but is a beautifully written and ultimately uplifting story with stunning artwork. Warning: you will need tissues * Angels and Urchins * Laura Carlin's monochrome illustrations combine artistic skill with a childlike element that complements the text * Books for Keeps * Stunningly beautiful, I cried and smiled my way through this book in turns [] Katya Balen has captured the sense of wanting to be grown up, but still being a child perfectly. * North Somerset Teachers Book Awards Blog * Now and then, and only now and then, a book changes us. The Space Were In does that. Its ferocious and its visionary. * Kevin Crossley-Holland * A beautiful book * Books of the Year, Books for Keeps *

Katya Balen is an award-winning author of books for children. Katya's debut novel, The Space Were In, was published in 2019 and was highly commended for the Branford Boase Award. Her second, October, October, won the Yoto Carnegie Medal. Her third novel, The Light in Everything, was published in 2022. When shes not writing books, Katya likes to scroll through dog-rescue websites, bake, and attempt to keep all her house plants alive. She lives in London with her partner and their dogs Raffi and Mouse. Laura Carlin is an illustrator and ceramicist based in London. She has won numerous awards for her childrens books, including a BolognaRagazzi Award and a V&A Book Illustration Award. Her favourite things to draw are dogs and sad people.