120,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Come visit us this weekend!🚀 Auckland Bookstore • Open 7 days, 8:30am–5pm

Midwinter Burning

4.05 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating.
( 77 ratings, 17 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Midwinter Burning by Tanya Landman, a young evacuee named Alfie finds himself sent to the countryside during World War II. While adapting to his new surroundings, he becomes entangled in a mysterious and tense adventure involving ancient myths and forgotten rituals. The story explores themes of bravery and friendship amidst uncertain times.
Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$1999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by adventures that weave mystery and history together. This story, set amidst the backdrop of the Anglo-Saxon era, offers a thrilling journey through time with intriguing characters, making it perfect for young readers who love a touch of excitement and historical exploration.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A historical time-slip adventure for middle-grade readers, from the Carnegie Medal-winning author of Apache and Buffalo Soldier.

Alfie Wright? Alfie Wrong, more like. Alfie has never really fitted in anywhere – he doesn't have any friends, and even his mum seems embarrassed of him. So when he’s evacuated to a farm in rural Devon run by kind old Aunt Bell and her gentle giant of a son, Alfie can’t believe his luck.

The War seems a long way off, and among the cows, pigs, and geese, Alfie's happier than he’s ever been – especially when he makes friends with one of the local boys, Snidge. But Snidge, for all his friendliness, is not all he appears.

The mystery that surrounds him seems to be connected to the Midwinter Burning, an annual ritual held at the Standing Stones, high up on the cliffs. Aunt Bell says it’s all just a bit of harmless superstition, but when Snidge goes missing, Alfie finally discovers who his friend really is – and relives the true horror of the legend…

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Midwinter Burning by Tanya Landman has been praised for its engrossing storytelling and thrilling timeslip narrative suitable for children aged 9 and above. Critics highlight its blend of elements reminiscent of Goodnight Mr Tom and The Wicker Man, offering an outstanding story that explores courage's power to redeem. It's recognised for its gripping historical adventure and emotional depth, appealing to fans of authors like Phil Earle and Philippa Pearce.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781406397185

Publisher: Walker Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 November 2022

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Walker Books Ltd

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 270g

Pages: 256

About the Author

Tanya Landman has written numerous books for children and young people, including Buffalo Soldier, winner of the Carnegie Medal; Apache, shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the BookTrust Teenage Prize; The Goldsmith's Daughter and Hell and High Water, shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize; and the Sam Swann and Poppy Fields mystery series - the first of which, Mondays Are Murder, won the Red House Children's Book Award. Most recently she has turned her hand to historical novels and classic retellings for middle-grade readers, and she also wrote the picture book The Song of the Nightingale, illustrated by Laura Carlin and shortlisted for the Kate Greenaway Medal. Tanya lives in Devon. Visit her at www.tanyalandman.com.

Also by Tanya Landman

View all
  • Great Expectations
    Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman returns with a brilliantly realised and truly accessible retelling of the book described as Dickens’ “most perfect” novel. My story is a long one with many strange events and dark turns. But time is short. I will be brief. In this slim volume I concentrate on five people. A dangerous criminal. An honest blacksmith. An...
    Paperback
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Song of the Nightingale
    A gorgeous and evocative story of how the animals got their colours, from Carnegie Medal-winner Tanya Landman and V&A Illustration Award winner Laura Carlin. The earth was young and full of colour. But the animals were dull and drab. The painter decided: something must be done! With dabs and sweeps, the painter's brush creates the stripes on the zebra, the...
    Paperback
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Dracula
    Carnegie Medal winner Tanya Landman delivers a terrifyingly enthralling and truly accessible retelling of Bram Stoker’s legendary Gothic horror novel. Bram Stoker's Dracula is a masterpiece of horror fiction in which he creates a nightmarish world of vampires, evil-doing and insanity. A ship steered by a dead man… A huge black dog springing from its deck… A girl, sleepwalking towards...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Jane Eyre
    The tale of a spirited heroine's search for love, independence and belonging. Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman returns with a brilliantly realised and truly accessible retelling of one of the greatest novels ever written. Orphaned as a child, tormented by her guardian and cast out to a harsh boarding school, Jane Eyre has been raised in the shadow of cruelty...
    Paperback
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Frankenstein
    A gripping and gruesome retelling of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein brought to life for a new generation of readers by Carnegie Medal winning author Tanya Landman. A thrilling gothic tale of hubris gone badly wrong. A young man’s search for the secret of the spark of life leads him to a horrific experiment in which he creates a gigantic creature from...
    Paperback
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Meg and Merlin
    Meg and Merlin brave a "Fun Day" at the stables and learn some exciting new tricks in this high-spirited new instalment of Tanya Landman’s popular horse-riding series. Meg and her friend Sam take their ponies, Merlin and Alfred, for a "Fun Day" at a nearby stables. But with Sam’s bossy mum as one of the instructors, the day isn’t anything...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Killer
    The courage of a loyal dog is tragically mistaken for violence in this gripping quick read for seriously struggling readers from award-winning author Tanya Landman. When the prince and his lady go out hunting, they leave their baby in the care of their faithful wolfhound, Gelert.But when they return, their baby is missing, and a horrific attack has taken place....
    Paperback
    $1799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Wuthering Heights
    Carnegie Medal-winning author Tanya Landman reignites another beloved Brontë classic in a phenomenal retelling accessible to all readers. The night that Heathcliff, an unkempt orphan, arrives at the Heights, Cathy’s life will change for ever … but theirs will not be a happy love story. From a harsh childhood to a foolish marriage, a troubled path of pain and punishment...
    Paperback
    $2199
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Tomorrow's Ghost
    A pacy historical time-slip adventure for middle grade readers, from the Carnegie Medal-winning author of Apache and Buffalo Soldier. Haunted by the past, can Anna rewrite the future? 1976: Twelve-year-old Anna, bored and lonely away from her friends for the summer, finds herself dreaming about a girl from 1919 – a neglected and lonely girl living in a mansion with...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Day Death Died
    When Jack gives Death a taste of his own medicine, he’s unprepared for life in a world where nothing dies. An engaging quick-read for seriously struggling readers from award-winning author Tanya Landman. Jack’s mum is ill and Jack is devastated when Death arrives to take her away. Jack doesn’t want to let her go, so he fights back and drives...
    Paperback
    $1799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde
    Carnegie Medal winning author Tanya Landman delivers an eerily captivating and accessible retelling of Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic Gothic novel of murder and monstrosity. Evil Mr Hyde stalks London's streets, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake.Good Dr Jekyll keeps protecting him.Why? Is Hyde blackmailing Jekyll for some shameful past sin? Or is something stranger and more sinister going...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • A Christmas Carol
    Pre-order
    A Christmas Carol
    Carnegie Medal winning author Tanya Landman delivers a refreshing and truly accessible retelling of Charles Dickens’ beloved Victorian Christmas classic. It’s Christmas Eve and everyone is in the holiday spirit … all except miserly old Ebenezer Scrooge, who despises the holiday season. But when he’s visited by the ghost of his former business partner, who tells him he’ll soon encounter...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Pre-order
    Out 2 Feb 2027

More from Children's Books

View all
  • New Release
    Gruffalo Granny
    The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...
    Hardback
    $2499
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    Backorder
    Ships mid October
  • Wahine
    New Release
    Wahine
    From a majestic mermaid to a clay woman, the creator of glaciers to the mother of gardening, discover powerful wahine and how their stories shaped the world around us. Wahine introduces readers to twelve purakau of brave, bold, and inspiring women of Aotearoa. A beautifully illustrated collection that will delight the whole whanau, from award-winning illustrator Isobel Joy Te Aho-White....
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Sweet As Looky Book
    New Release
    The Sweet As Looky Book
    Can you find all the chocolate fish? Is it possible for kiwi to fly? Can you spot the difference? See Aotearoa New Zealand through the eyes of award-winning artist Donovan Bixley in The Sweet As Looky Book. Use your finest skills to seek out pirates in the Bay of Islands and birds in Rakiura Stewart Island. Get in a car...
    Hardback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    The Day of the Dinosaur Disaster
    Angry anacondas, blizzarding blobs, carnivorous cactuses ... what kind of twisted curse will Glam-Evil think up this time?!Only it's not just Glam-Evil's curse the gang needs to worry about; they've got a few other problems, too. Swooping Pteranodons, a hungry T-Rex, a missing mother, and ... is that ... an ASTEROID?!Join MILES AND JONES as they face their biggest challenge...
    Paperback
    $1400
    Elsewhere:
    $1499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    The Neverfear
    A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2299
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Mari the Unwonderful Witch
    A charming, cosy and thought-provoking tale about a wonderfully unconventional little witch, by bestselling author of BUTTER, Asako Yuzuki. Perfect for fans of WICKED, KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and THE HATMAKERS series by Tamzin Merchant - and anyone who likes an enchanting adventure with just a hint of mischief. Mari the Unwonderful Witch introduces us to Mari, an eleven-year-old witch who...
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition
    A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...
    Hardback
    $2999
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    The Comeback Kid
    Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...
    Paperback
    $1799
    Elsewhere:
    $1999
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Millie from Milford
    New Release
    Millie from Milford
    Based on the true story of Ruth Shaw and her husband Lance looking after a baby seal that had been shot between the eyes. Millie from Milford lives in Milford Sound, the number one tourist destination in Aotearoa New Zealand. After Millie was checked by a vet, she was taken to Ruth and Lance's home to be looked after until...
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    New Release
    The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4
    But disaster strikes when guitarist Jack breaks his wrist and can no longer play. On top of that, all their hard work fundraising has fallen short! When help comes from unexpected channels, the Velvets make it to the Big Apple just in time to compete against the best kid bands in the whole world, including their new rivals the Blazer...
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Pocket Observology
    New Release
    Pocket Observology
    Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...
    Paperback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Minecraft Annual 2027
    New Release
    Minecraft Annual 2027
    The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.