Sometimes I am privileged to be sent proof copies of books – a proof is an, often unedited, version of a book before it is available to buy. There is something about having a story in your hands that few others have read  – sort of like sneaking a peek at your Christmas presents.

I am so lucky that Faber Children’s choose to send me – A Drop of Golden Sun by Kate Saunders. This is an imagining of the making of a movie not too dissimilar to The Sound of Music.

What if we were to follow the child actors from their auditions to filming to the premier?

The story is told from the point of view of one of the very youngest actors – Jenny whose tap dancing gets her chosen to star in the film, though we have the irrepressible Belinda, the adorable Harriet and the sensible John to contend with as well.  This book is a delight from start to finish – from secret sweeties to French chateaus to argumentative actors and trouble on a bike. On the surface this novel might be seen as  light hearted and it is true there is a gentleness to the character creations but as with all Kate’s books there are moments where real issues such as mental health, fractured families and anti-Semitism are woven in with such deft and empathy that readers cant help but be moved as well as informed.

I could not put this book down and any reader will be left thinking about Jenny and Belinda and the gang long after the last page. As Kate’s last book it is a triumph and should be on the shelves of every Primary  and Secondary school.

This is a fantastic read for P6+