How to Fly with Broken Wings

Author(s): Jane Elson

Children's Fiction

'If Finn Maison shouts jump you jump or you are dead.'

Twelve-year-old Willem has Aspergers Syndrome and two main aims in life: to fly and to make at least two friends of his own age. But all the other boys from the Beckham Estate do is make him jump off things. First his desk - and now the wall. As his toes teeter on the edge, Sasha Bradley gives him a tiny little wink. Might she become his friend?


Bullied by Finn and his gang the Beckham Estate Boyz, Willem has no choice but to jump. As he flies through the air he flaps his arms, wishing he could fly and escape into the clouds. Instead he comes crashing down and breaks his ankle.


Sasha, angry with herself for not stopping Finn and his Boyz, is determined to put things right. And soon, while the gangs riot on their estate, Willem and Sasha form an unlikely friendship. Because they share a secret. Sasha longs to fly too.


And when Magic Man Archie arrives with stories of war-flying spitfires, he will change the lives of the kids on the Beckham Estate for ever. And perhaps find a way for Willem and Sasha to fly ...


Touching on themes such as friendship and bullying, this is a charming tale about overcoming obstacles and finding friendship in unlikely places.


'heart-rending, heartbreaking and heartening' The Best New Children's Books Guardian Supplement


Product Information

A heart-warming tale about a boy who just wants to make friends, and the girl who shows him how.

Shortlisted for Hillingdon Book of the Year Awards: Secondary 2016 and Calderdale Children's Book of the Year 2016 and Peters Book of the Year: Junior Fiction 2016.

A nuanced and serious story...Author Jane Elson won much applause for her debut, A Room Full of Chocolate, and you can see why The Observer Heart-rending, heartbreaking and heartening The Best New Children's Books 2015 A very moving story, you may need to keep some tissues handy! Primary Times There is courage, friendship of various kinds, learning how to understand people and how to handle life's ups and downs, for adults as well as young people in this book. School Librarian This is a stunner from Jane Elson ... I love this book for its believably written and diverse crew of characters. Rhino Reads Nuanced and serious The Observer a wonderful, hopeful, uplifting read. Peters eGazette

After performing as an actress and comedy improviser for many years, Jane fell into writing stories and plays. A Room Full of Chocolate was her first book for children aged 9+. Her first full length play Leonardo Stole My Crayon, inspired by her work with young offenders, was the winner of the Kings X Award For New Writing in 2007. When she is not writing Jane spends her time running creative writing and comedy improvisation workshops for children with special educational needs. She is also a guest practitioner at Soho Theatre's Writer's Lab. Selected as a New Voice in the Guardian's guide to The Best New Children's Books 2014, Jane is described as 'A new author to watch.'

General Fields

  • : 9781444916768
  • : Hachette Children's Group
  • : Hodder Children's Books
  • : March 2015
  • : United Kingdom
  • : March 2015
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Jane Elson
  • : Paperback
  • : 515
  • : English
  • : 823.92
  • : 304
  • : YFB