I loved this! Animals, friendship - what more does one need? As sad as the story was at times, it ended up being enjoyable because of Williamson's masterful storytelling. It was the perfect combination of sadness and hope.

While Norah's Ark may be intended for a middle grade student, I enjoyed it as an adult and encouraged my teenager to read over my shoulder. The book was a little slow to get started and did not initially capture my full attention, but that didn't last. The contrasting life that Norah and Adam leave is evident, as they each tell their story, but so is their similarities. I have really started to enjoy double narration books, but this was my first experience from a child's perspective and it was very well done.

My heart broke for Norah as the story went on and I was truly hoping she would get her "happy ending." By the same token, I was rooting for Adam to be able to talk to his mom and to start living the life he wanted. This book touches on so many tough topics kids may experience and it was so well done.

NetGalley does not allow for half star ratings, but my score is a 4.5. I would recommend this title to adults and children alike, though I would add the caution that the story includes the following topics: poverty, bullying, gambling/addiction, and cancer and may not be a suitable read for sensitive/young readers.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Norah and Adam are great voices, and their chapters flip back and forth in a way that advances the plot logically and well. Their world seems realistic, and I enjoyed getting to know them both. The title didn't make sense to me until the end, but I liked it! A great look at homelessness, illness, and how similar we are in adversity.

This was heartbreaking yet hopeful in all the right ways. There are many lessons one can learn from it, but most of all, compassion and empathy. You never know what someone may be dealing with in secret. And just how freeing the truth can be.

I will say, though, make sure you're in a positive headspace before reading and check any content warnings. It handles tough situations and is from the children's perspectives.

Thank you NetGalley for a copy of Norah's Ark by Victoria Williamson.

This middle-grade book was a great read. Norah and her father are homeless and trying to survive in a harsh world. She has a pet spider that she takes from place to place and is her only friend. She loves taking care of hurt or homeless pets which doesn't work out so well because most of the hostels/B&Bs don't let you have pets. Norah finds some baby birds that have lost their parents. She brings them little pieces of food that she saves from her tiny meals. One days she goes to feed the baby birds and the boy (Adam) in the big posh house has taken the birds in their nest and he is putting them in his treehouse. He is not allowed to leave his yard due to just finishing up cancer treatment. Norah is livid this boy has stolen the only happy thing in her life.

This story is about two kids from different sides of wealth. One who doesn't know her mother, has dirty clothes, bounces from places to places to live and doesn't have friends. The other kid has all of food you could ever want, a mother and father that are around, money for all of the things he could ever want but isn't allowed in the outside world. You live through their struggles, doubts and fears. The author did a great job putting the reader in their shoes.

Human suffering is a universal experience. For some, like eleven-year-old Norah, our hardships are socioeconomic (like not getting enough food to eat or knowing where we will rest our head from week to week). For some of us, it’s a family or a health issue. At the age of eleven, Adam has already survived cancer and is a prisoner in his own home. Even though the doctors say he is out of the woods, his mother is so worried about him getting sick that she won’t let him have friends or leave the safety of his home and garden. Once a champion swimmer, Adam is miserable and out of shape, owing very much to his mother feeding him a constant supply of rich foods and forbidding him to return to the swimming pool. When Norah and Adam each take an interest in the same nest of orphaned birds, the two children become friends. They share a love of animals and continue to look after creatures in need throughout the text.

Hearing the story from Norah and Adam’s alternating perspectives worked well. As a reader, I really got to know each character in greater depth as a result of being invited into the thoughts and feelings of each child in turn. It's not my personal preference to read fiction in which topics like climate change are explicitly discussed. For me, it pulls me out of the waking dream of the story, but other readers may feel differently.

I like how the title made perfect sense, considering the quantities of animals and rain involved in the tale. “Norah’s Ark” wasn’t merely slapped on to hook prospective readers (like myself) but was a genuinely sagacious choice. I liked how Norah and Adam were so different on the surface (different races, sexes, economic situations, health issues, family history, you-name-it) but when it came to their deeper humanity, they were very much alike: full of childlike uncertainties and an empathetic interest in the animal kingdom. They inspire one another to be braver and kinder. I really liked that.

Children who still believe in Santa Claus would do well to wait until they are older before reading Norah’s Ark. When I was ten or eleven, a boy in my 5th grade class burst into tears when our teacher told him Santa wasn’t real. While the incredibility of Mr. Claus is not expressed as bluntly as my teacher put it, the story certainly doesn’t drape a warm mantle around the Santa Claus myth, either. I was thrown by a couple of things in the first chapter but am glad that I kept reading until I’d learned the whole story (the real story). I was sensitive to the fact that there are a lot of lies told in Adam and Norah’s private lives. In the end, however, I believe it's plain to the discerning reader that the truth really does set you free.

Norah’s Ark was worth reading to the end.

The opinions expressed are my own. Neem Tree Press was kind enough to approve my request to read an advanced copy through NetGalley.

Norah’s Ark by Victoria Williamson is a wonderful story that is told from the point of view of the two main characters, Norah and Adam. Norah and her father live in temporary shelters and receive food from the food bank. Adam’s family is wealthy but his mom will not let him be around others because he had leukemia. First Norah discovers a couple of abandoned baby birds in the park. Then Adam finds them and places them in his yard. Soon Adam and Norah become friends as they try to save other animals.

Norah’s Ark is a wonderfully written story about friendship. The story also includes topics such as poverty, bullying, gambling addiction and childhood cancer. Norah’s Ark would be a great book to read with a group and discuss.

I can see this book being used in a classroom or for a youth book discussion. It provides the perspectives of two children with very different life experiences who come to befriend each other after a misunderstanding. While some of the depictions of poverty may be rooted in stereotypes and/or assumptions seen in media, this book could definitely open up discussions for children about struggles others face.
The story takes place in the UK so for children in the US, Canada, etc. so it might take a few moments for some readers to catch on the some of the British terms used.

Contrasting lives meet in caring for animals. One person doesn't have to be crushed under poverty and uncertainty nor another by well-intentioned loved ones who fear for your life while you despair of your dreams. It is by sharing with another and giving to animals in need that lessons are learned and hope is regained. I feel that is the lesson of this simple moving book.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school, church library, or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Neem Tree Press via NetGalley. Thank you!
Pub Date Mar 04, 2025 #MiddleGrade

This was a very sweet but important read for any child. About two kids becoming friends and bonding over their love for animals. This story also shares some heavy topics such as, poverty and neglect amongst other things. The author handled these topics with the utmost care. I think this is a book a lot of kids would enjoy. I know if I read this as a child this book would've stayed with me in my heart for a long time.

Norah's Ark was a very touching read about how two kids that come from very different socio-economic situations meet and form a sweet friendship initially around mutually caring for animals found in the park but then end up helping each other deal with some very big hardships including poverty, abuse, neglect, bullying and emerging from serious illness. This book does a great job illustrating just what Norah was going through from going without food to not being able to be clean or trust her parent. I think this is a book that would be great for middle grade readers to be able to get a picture of what it would be like having to go through this situation. Adam's situation is also a good one for young readers to see that he is being torn between appeasing an overprotective mum but wanting to leave illness behind and become his own person that wants to swim and make friends. Caring for injured and orphaned animals brings these two unlikely friends together. The descriptions of helping other living things despite lacking care is well done. I really enjoyed reading this book about Norah and Adam and I believe this would be excellent for adults and especially for middle graders to read and discuss the themes of poverty, neglect, caring for others and friendship. As a parent of a 14 year old I can tell you this is very much needed! Thank you for allowing me to read and recommend this book.

I'm going to give 4.5 stars to this middle grade novel that addresses important and under-discussed topics: child poverty and homelessness. The alternating points of view illuminate the differences in white privilege -- Adam and his mom and their money in contrast with Norah and her poverty. The landscape is very whitewashed, which some might argue is a downfall to the book. Everyone has their own experience and White poverty is an experience. With themes of bullying and stereotyping, the author captures relevant issues.

I'm wondering if Adam's mom might have been developed a bit more through her actions at the food bank and church, rather than through dialogue with Adam. The resolution with Chelsey seemed too easy (although this is a MG novel, so maybe it works).

The inclusion of the animals was a great touch, especially for MG readers. That keeps the reader feeling hopeful and on the edge of their seat.

Oh this book pulled every single heartstring there is. I just was so taken back by how sweet this book was. I loved the concept behind it. It was wonderful!