Review
'Wittily illustrated by Nick Maland, packed with humour and just enough heartache to keep readers involved, this charming novel is a real treat' -- Nicholas Clee, Independent 'a lively story ... A must for fans.' -- Daily Mail REVIEWS FOR THE CASSON FAMILY BOOKS: 'Witty, warm and humourous ... family reading par excellence.' -- Carousel 'A crazily fantastic story with loads of mad and hilarious moments.' -- Independent on Sunday 'It does what we hope JK Rowling would do: it makes everything you wish for come true, including the unlikeliest of outcomes.' -- Sunday Times 'Hilary McKay's wittily observed portrayals of family life are full of warmth, vitality and irrepressible good humour.' -- Kate Agnew, The Guardian 'just the sort of crazy family you ache to be a part of.' -- The Good Book Guide 'it's wonderful to have more stories about the engaging and uncommon Casson family!' -- Parents Express '... we are so fond of this fresh, funny, foolish, wise, real family.' -- The Horn Book Magazine '... as wild and endearing as ever ... Another charmer for Casson fans.' -- Booklist '... touching and hiarious. Beautifully crafted descriptive language makes this offering a real gem.' -- School Library Journal 'McKay has a genius for domestic comedy.' -- The Sunday Times 'Hilary McKay's strength lies in her understanding of young people and her ability to evoke them very simply.' -- The Guardian 'Warm, witty and wise, with unfeasibly broad appeal and proven anti-depressive properties, i would give this book to 9-year olds, teenagers and their parents.' -- Sunday Telegraph '... hugely entertaining story effortlessly recreates a tightly knit world, imbued with a strong sense of belonging - a slice of childhood so multi-layered, touching and real that there's something for every child reader to identify with and savour. Here's a book that truly proves the joys to be had from reading.' -- Books for Keeps 'stylishly written, acutely observed, light-headed and often very funny. At times, it's also incredibly touching and insightful, particularly when dealing with the complexities of family life ... quality writing for children.' -- School Librarian 'In this novel she [McKay] lovingly recreates the 19th -century atmosphere of chilblains, suet knives and visiting occultists... Wishing for Tomorrow is a warm, witty read that offers more realistic advice on climbing out of poverty than inheriting a diamond mine' -- Daily Telegraph 20091024 'Handsomely illustrated by Nick Maland, it has a humour and a humanity of it's own, and adds to, rather than detracts from, the original.' -- The Sunday Times 20091201 'McKay's book stays loyal to the original characters while bringing them alive again.' -- Daily Express 20091201 'Warm and wise.' -- Sunday Exoress 20091201 'A pitch-perfect reconstruction of the attic world of Miss Minchin's Seminary for Young Ladies.' -- Independent on Sunday 20091201
About the Author
Hilary McKay won the Guardian Children's award with her first novel, The Exiles. Her subsequent work has achieved recognition - The Exiles at Home won the Smarties Prize, whilst Saffy's Angel, the first in the Casson Family series, won the Whitbread Award, for which the third book Permanent Rose was also shortlisted.