The Rescue of Ravenwood

Bea and Raffy's lives got bound to Ravenwood when they were only babies and a fallen-down tree was taking up most of the kitchen. It's thier home but also a magical place where nature reigns. In a way, Ravenwood rescued both of them, so its natural that, when Ravenwood is threatened to being sold and maybe even demolished, it's the children's turn to defend it.

The Rescue of Ravenwood is an absolutely breathtaking, achingly beautiful story of home, belonging and all that is infinitely precious around us.
Personnally )and as an adult), it also talked very deeply to me of the loss of childhood and the magic of feelings and emotions awaken by sounds and sensations for children.
Bea said "What you have to understand (...) is that Ravenwood isn't just a place, it's us. (....) Me and Raffy, we've been here since we were babies. It's like we're made of Ravenwood. Maybe it' was the same for Leo and Jack and Dad when you were our age, I don't know. I guess things change when you're old (...)" This right here is how I feel about my grandmother's house and I just can't express how deep and achingly touching the whole story is for me. So I just want to say thank you to Natasha for writing The Rescue of Ravenwood. It can be, I think, an extraordinary path to everyone who's still a child at heart.

This book contains three important messages. 1. That families don't all look the same and they often don't look the way society tells us they should. 2. Nature matters. 3. A place that feels like home is worth fighting for.

In the book Bea and Raffy's world is rocked when Bea's dad and uncle Jack decide that they want to sell the old family home, Ravenwood.

Bea is struggling with her relationship with her parents, who left her at Ravenwood for a brief visit when she was a baby and then didn't take her back. Although it's not made explicit, Bea's mum is clearly struggling with her mental health, but Bea just feels confused as they come in and out of her life without explanation.

Raffy is also wondering about his family. He and his mum came to Ravenwood when he was a baby to help Leo with Bea and they never left. But now Raffy is wondering where they came from and what other family he has in the world.

Then, one summer, Leo brings home Noa, whose mum and dad have separated. Noa's mum is a nurse and she has had to go and help refugees in a war torn country. Her dad has moved in with his new girlfriend and her twins and although he has said that Noa can come and stay with him, she doesn't want to so Leo says she can stay with them.

This book unpicks a lot around the emotions children go through when their relationships with the adults in their lives change. It shows the anger they feel but also that forgiveness can be found, especially when children find a secure home. And along the way, it describes the joy that is found in the natural world.

The rescue of ravenwood

I could not stop reading this book! A firm message throughout the story is of family and belonging, and the importance of places.
Character development in this story is one finely crafted by author Natasha Farrant. We meet Bea and Raffy on the day they arrive at Ravenwood, as babies and 11 years later acting as brother and sister, for they never left this home and the ancient spirits that roam about this important home and their giant, ancient Ash tree, aptly named Yggdrasil.

Over the course of one summer plans will be hatched, accidents happen and people displaced but the children in this story are determined, bold and ready to fight for what is vital.

This isn’t so much an adventure story but a tale that unfolds as a classic might, with focus on the wonderful characters and their paths that converge together.

The Rescue of Ravenwood is another thrilling adventure story from the author of Voyage of the Sparrowhawk featuring plucky and resourceful children who summon hidden reserves of courage to confront an existential threat to their way of life.

Ravenwood has been home to Bea and Raffy for as long as they can remember, along with Bea's uncle Leo and Raffy's mother Martha. They have grown up among its ancient trees, its lake and its secret cove, but now it is under threat as Leo's brothers want to sell it to a developer. Together with their new friend Noa who has come to stay for the summer, Bea and Raffy must find a way to protect their home and all the wildlife that has thrived there.

This is a brilliantly plotted story featuring daring train chases across Europe and radical ecological protests before everything comes together in a satisfying way. It is also a story that is full of heart - it has a powerful ecological message about saving "precious places", as well as exploring complex family dynamics with great sensitivity. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an ARC to review.

I really enjoyed this book. Families can be complicated, and Bea knows this more than most. She has always lived with her uncle and his partner and her son, Raffy, on the glorious Ravenswood estate with its ancient trees and private cove. Yet the estate is crumbling, and it’s future uncertain, especially when it is owned by 3 brothers who have different ideas about its future. And What about Bea’s parents? When Noa arrives, after being offered shelter for the summer, she finds a beautiful paradise but one that is very much under threat. Can the three children work together to save Ravenswood?

I love this book! It’s a story about a girl that wanted to save her precious home. I like the found family trope between Leo, Martha, Bea and Raffy.
First as a mum myself i kinda resent Ingrid for leaving Bea, but then after i read on, i knew how she feels about her condition. My heart broke for Skid! I can imagine Ravenwood must be full of lush greens and the treehouse! Ohh i’ve wanted to have a tree house!
Also Raffy’s grandma! Hero of the day!
I think overall this book gave me a heartwarming feeling. Yes they have problems, but who doesn’t have problem these days? And in the end, all is well so i gave this book 4 stars!

Ravenwood is the home to Bea and Raffy - a home that is more like a community of friends .Life seems idyllic until the children find themselves away from their home and discover that things are changing .The complexities of extended families and relationships are told against the backdrop of the possibility of the children losing Ravenwood through crime and greed.A race to save their home and force adults to reconsider decisions unite the children in taking direct action. Although the environmental aspect of saving Ravenwood developed it did feel as though this could have had a more central role within the plot rather than building up the relationships between the children and their parents in such depth . A good read that should capture the imaginations of 10- 12 year olds.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable book. The thing that struck me most reading this is that is didn't seem to talk down to younger readers. It has a maturity of voice that I really liked and think KS2 readers will too. At the beginning of the book I felt unsure about a couple of character introductions but it didn't take me long to be really absorbed in the relationship between Bea, Raffy and Noa and the exploration of their individual histories and their complex extended families. The story is about saving their beloved home, Ravenwood and the proposed felling of much-treasured ancient tree Yggdrasil provides the catalyst for change within many of their familial relationships. I liked how lots of issues were touched upon (environmental issues and refugees to name but a few) that would lead to many talking points in the classroom, particularly in regard to what 'home' really means.