I recently read Nightjar by Katya Balen, illustrated by Richard Johnson, and it was such a thoughtful and quietly powerful story.
Although it’s written for younger readers and presented in a dyslexia-friendly format, this is very much a book that can be appreciated at any age. The story gently explores friendship, loneliness and the feeling of not quite fitting in. Katya Balen captures emotions that many young people experience but often struggle to put into words.
One of the things I really loved was learning about nightjar birds. I didn’t know much about them before reading this book, and it was fascinating to discover more about these mysterious creatures. It added an extra layer of meaning to the story and made the title feel even more special.
I also really liked Noah as a character. His attitude felt so kind and gentle, and he seemed beautifully in sync with nature and the birds around the place where he lives with his mum. That quiet connection to the natural world gave the story a calm, reflective feeling that stayed with me.
The pacing allows the reader to sit with the characters and their emotions, while the illustrations add warmth and atmosphere to the narrative.
This is the kind of book that reminds us how powerful stories for younger readers can be. A thoughtful, heartfelt read that I was very glad to discover.
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