To be frank I would not have picked this book up if it had not bee on the Carnegie long list – I am quite glad I did because it is now on the short-list.

My Sister Lives on the Mantlepiece by Annabel Pitcher tells the story of 10 year old Jamie (please do not let the age of the main character put you off) who, much to his father’s frustration has not cried since the death of his sister; the girl on the mantelpiece.  

Jamie is a silly, funny heart-warming little boy that you can not help liking/feeling frustrated with/laughing at/with and the core themes of the book or loss and acceptance and growing up are delicately portrayed by his character.Big issue are not flinched from such as racism, divorce and terrorism but it is to the credit of the author that they never become preachy or overpowering.This book may not take you too long to read but it just might stay with you once you have closed the last page.