DNF.

Tried many times to read it but couldn't get into the story nor the narration of the story. Still an amazing cover, though!

This was a great fast paced short but very engaging novel. A story of triumphant and resilience over hardship and bond between brothers, to escape a tense visit from their long absent mother, Nicky and Kenny decide to trek across the moors. This is a fourth in a series and I really want to read the others after enjoying this one so much. The way the brothers who have clearly struggled to maintain their emotions after feeling betrayed by the abandonment of a parent take care of one another once they get lost is a beautiful thing to behold and brought tears to my eyes. I enjoyed the style of writing a great deal and found it easy to follow and appreciate how it would hold the attention of young readers like my two elementary age kids. I’m not sure my library would agree to purchasing it but I plan to put it forward as a suggestion.

A welcome reprint of the series including this volume, for their first ever North American publication, and with startling brand new cover art, still only left me with the chance to sample this fourth of four. That said, it is perfectly stand-alone. It's a riveting tale of two brothers, the narrator Nicky, and the year older Kenny, who is on the spectrum. With all the topsy-turviness in their life, Nicky has been told to take the pair of them on not one but three bus trips, and have a nice jolly hike – a lark, if you like – across the Yorkshire moors. They might even see a lark, the bird. But with the start of the day delayed, not once but twice, and with the snow setting in, it's likely to end in a drab plod through the snow and the encroaching dusk. Or, perhaps, even worse…

This seems a straight port of the Barrington Stoke original, but with Americanised spelling to distinguish it. And there's nothing wrong with that – this is a book that was designed for specialist audiences (Barrington Stoke, much like the particular branding and imprint used here, are catering for dyslexics and those with similar reading issues) but that has so much about it it still won major, all-audiences awards. It's no exaggeration to say there are chances your face will be the same soggy, wet terrain as seen here by the ending. That ending is probably designed to rule a line under all four books – it's not quite earned by what we have here, but there are no faults to be had. A sterling love letter to brotherhood, a true outdoors adventure full of plausibility, a la "127 Hours" but for juniors – this is a must-read, and leaves little doubt about the three that preceded it, either.

Rating: 4.67 leaves out of 5
-Characters: 4/5
-Cover: 5/5
-Story: 4/5
-Writing: 5/5
Genre: Middle Grade, Survival
-Middle Grade: 5/5
-Survival: 5/5
Type: Ebook
Worth?: Yeah

Want to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.

I cried. Simply put. The story could have used more meat in the survival part but other than that it was a really good book.

A story of brothers who took care of each other, where stories brought comfort in the good and bad times. Where stories settled their souls. This short read made my heart squeeze and the tears flow. Beautiful story. Beautifully written. Unexpected yet compelling. I wasn't sure what to expect with it being written from the perspective of a boy - I wasn't expecting to be moved by it.

Though short this book is one to remember. I was instantly engaged, though the writing is simple it’s lyrical and transporting. The brothers Nicky and Kenny have a great relationship, the banter not only brings them to life but also adds an element of wit. This balances out the emotional tension and mystery elements of the book. I cried and I enjoyed. Highly recommend.
Also Tina the family dog as an animal companion deserves a special mention, such a delight to picture her with the brothers.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Engaging and easy to read, with a gripping storyline. I felt aspects of the book could have been explored more deeply, but then, the point is to be a quick and easy read for reluctant readers, so it fulfilled that perfectly.

I cried. This book made me cry. For real. Not just a few tears escaping my eyes, I'm talking full huge streams running down my cheeks. For 5 minutes I could not stop crying - that's how many emotions this book gave me.

I enjoyed the story, even though I didn't think it was really my thing when I started the book. But the relationship Nicky and Kenny have felt so real that they grew on me and I started feeling invested in the story. I was scared for the characters and wanted them to be happy and safe!

I didn't read the other three books in the series, but after this, I might give them a go too!

Thank you NetGalley for approving me to read this arc.

"Lark" follows a story of two brothers - Nick and Kenny - who decide to go for a walk on the moors as they wait for a visit from their estranged mother. Unfortunately for them the weather changes and they are caught in the blizzard.

This is a very simple story about lovely relationship between young boys who are brothers as they deal with getting lost in the blizzard. The writing is neat, the characters are really likeable and the whole story is actually a novella. I had a good time but it wasn't anything spectacular or memorable.

"Things are getting tense at home for Nicky and Kenny as they wait for a visit from their estranged mother. To escape, they go for a walk on the moors, taking their little Jack Russell terrier with them. But what should have been a laugh, a lark, turns deadly when the weather changes and they are caught in a blizzard. Nothing will ever be quite the same again..."

Blizzard on the moors!

I don't know if I'm just having an emotional day, but somehow this beautiful little novella actually made me cry. I haven't read any of the other books that are associated with this one, but it was absolutely fine as a standalone.

The text is simple, but manages to still be poetic, raw, and packed with emotion, and as a story for children I think it handles some serious themes with tact and sensitivity. The only thing that jarred with me is the switch of the use of 'flipping' for most of the book to 'f******' later on.

Overall though, I loved this book and I feel like someone has punched me in the emotion centre, which is such an incredible feat for a book so short.

It's quite different from what I normally read, and honestly, this cover is what drew me to the book.

It's a sad read in my opinion; if you have siblings that you're close to it will hit home.

For a quick read, it was nice with an even-paced and beautiful flow.

I was not aware that this book is a part of a series. That being said, it reads just fine as a stand alone.
“Lark” follows two brothers, Nicky and Kenny, and their dog Tina on a walk over the moors and the many obstacles they encounter. Most of the book was very mundane and frankly kind of boring but the ending made up for it.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved this book. The story was heart wrenching.

The story represents what lengths siblings will go to to protect and take care of one another. The story kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to hug the characters the whole time. They were so beautifully written.

I will not forgive you about the dog. I don't care if it made the story better. The ending for the dog honestly made the story more fitting g because it fits along the lines of the story of taking care and protecting one another but I'm still mad.

Five stars, will reccomend!

I didn't know what to expect going into this but I seriously underestimated how terrifying this book was. I felt like closing my eyes a few times (unhelpful, as then I couldn't read) because I almost didn't want to know what happened next. Tense and beautiful and sad.

Young boys Nicky and Kenny are waiting for the arrival of their long-estranged mother who will be visiting. It’s becoming a bit stressful for them so they go for a walk taking their Jack Russell terrier, Tina. They get lost then caught in a blizzard.

This was a sweet, sad adventure story that made me cry several times. I hope it finds the right readers. Recommended.

I randomly chose this book without knowing anything about Nicky and Kenny, and by the end, it had me in tears.

It's a quick and easy read, telling a heartwarming story about two brothers going through a difficult time. The narration made me feel like I was right there with them in the freezing cold.

One thing I will note, though, is that throughout the book I was confused by the intended audience. While I found it in the YA section, it seemed to be mostly written for children except for a few more mature parts. The end of the story, however, felt completely out of place for any of these age categories. If the end had such a big impact on me, I can only imagine how children would take it.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This will tug at your heartstrings. It’s a short read, but it packs a punch to the gut when it comes to family relationships. And I love Tina!!

Nicky and Kenny go for a walk on the moors, but the weather quickly turns nasty, and then they must deal with something even more dangerous. I did get some Hansel and Gretel vibes, even before it’s mentioned later in the book…you can draw your own conclusions regarding that. There’s an air of mystery surrounding why they press on in their journey despite numerous things going wrong from the start. The epilogue is bittersweet and fleshes out the characters even more.

Overall, I recommend reading this, especially for the sweet yet complex relationship between the brothers.

My thanks to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

[arc review]
Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square & Co. for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
Lark re-releases April 2, 2024

This is a short novella that follows two brothers and their dog as they become lost on a stroll in the open hills during a cold, snowy climate.
Will they be able to find their way to the next village in time before it gets dark? Or will they become hypothermic and at risk of not surviving?

I was unaware going into this that it was the last installment in a series, however it does read like a contained standalone.

I recommend <I>Lark</I> if you like environmental survival stories but want younger protagonists.




<b>SPOILER:</b>
I found the epilogue really jarring being set 40 years later, especially with how depressing the ending was and I can't really see the reasoning behind adding it.
Also, why’d the dog have to die?! :(

Lark is a short novella geared towards younger readers. About two boys Nicky and Kenny, who while waiting to see they estranged Mom go for a walk on the moors with their jack russel and get lost. As it begins to snow they struggle to find their way back, and face unfortunate obstacles on the way.
This book is the fourth of a series, although I would recommend starting from the beginning this book also does well as a stand alone. Though geared for young readers, be warned that this book tackles some sensitive materials about death that may be hard for younger readers. I found this book to be enjoyable, realistic and yet heartbreaking at the same time.
Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an homest review.