There are many book about people going "back to the land" but the strength of this novel is that our narrators and tour guides through the farm are two young kids. Jones does a great job writing an authentic voice of 7 year olds, or at least it resonates with what I remember 7 year olds sounding like. And like little kids, they only peripherally know or care what's gong on with the adults so our understanding of what's actually happening on the farm, i.e. the plot, is heavily filtered and missing in some serious data which requires the reader to do some sleuthing to follow. I loved how one child would be mentioning something going on at the farm, something important, and the very next sentence in the same paragraph they talked about how their arm is getting longer than the other narrator's. The adult world just didn't matter to them.

This isn't a heavily plot driven story, but a uniquely told character study where we don't get to understand most of the characters. In fact, one of the best things about the crafting of this novel will drive some people nuts: Amy and Lan have the same voice. Even though each chapter is clearly marked who is speaking, there is very little to discriminate between the two, which is done on purpose so the reader knows just how close these two are. Often I had to refer back to remember who was speaking and glance at my cheat sheet family tree.They are of one mind until they aren't.

There's some social commentary on wealth and aspects of farm life are unfiltered. Those who are rather sensitive to violence to animals should be warned.

I enjoyed the language and it was beautifully written. Some of the farm life and day to day action was slow moving for me. It was hard to get through at times, but overall I was glad to read it. Amy and Lan's voices were similar and it was difficult to tell who was narrating at any particular time but I don't think that affected my enjoyment of the story. You really get a good feel for farm life and what it is like.

This fun novel spans five years in the lives of children Lachlan, nicknamed Lan, and his best friend Amy, beginning when they are both seven years old. They live on a farm in England with their families (parents and siblings), another family, and several friends. Life there is beautiful and fun, as the families share farming and raising livestock (they adopt a calf who lives in one of the houses for a while!) together. As the years pass, however, Amy and Lan begin to see things and hear conversations that are troubling, from adult arguments about the best practices to support the farm financially, to relationships that are crumbling. Some of the parents lament leaving their urban existence; a couple of parents—the wrong ones--are becoming romantically involved, jeopardizing the comfortable arrangement. I enjoyed watching Amy and Lan grow up and interact with their friends, families, and communities. Thanks to #NetGalley for the arc!
Recommended

A pleasant, ultimately mildly affecting coming-of-age tale set on a farm somewhere in England where the eponymous children grown up in a rackety communal,household. Told episodically, with a range of mods and a gathering sense of melancholy. Not her best book, but not a failure either.

I read this book at breakneck speed, couldn’t put it down! As a Brit living in the USA, I love to read books set in England. This book took me back to my childhood growing up in a village (not on a farm unfortunately!) and I felt like it captured the childhood of Amy and Lan perfectly, not too ‘twee’ and just the right level of optimistic.
It is very ‘British’ book down to the language and the regular trips to the Spar shop which I loved.
I can’t say enough good things about this book and I look forward to recommending it to our library patrons.