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The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp

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( 265 ratings, 47 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
The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp by Leonie Agnew is a captivating children's book about a mystery that unfolds when Hannah Kemp arrives in a peculiar small town. With a mix of fantasy and adventure, Hannah embarks on an unexpected journey full of challenges and discoveries that test her courage and wit, while the townspeople hold secrets that gradually unravel. The narrative combines enchanting storytelling with themes of friendship, identity, and resilience, making it an engaging read for young audiences.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2299
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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?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy stories about imaginative adventures and quirky characters. Leonie Agnew's work is perfect for young readers who love tales filled with mystery, friendship, and a touch of the surreal. It's an engaging read that combines humour and heart, inviting children to explore the power of believing in the impossible.

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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

The unpublished manuscript was the winner of the 2022 Tessa Duder Award: a powerful exploration of guilt, forgiveness, choice, and personal responsibility.

The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp follows Hannah Kemp as she grapples with the aftermath of a traumatic accident for which she is responsible. Struggling to reconcile with her guilt, Hannah finds herself ostracised by a community quick to condemn her. She copes by rebelling and pushing away anyone who offers kindness or seeks to understand her. Burdened by guilt and anger, Hannah stumbles upon a mobile library bus where every book reveals the true story of a life lived. Here, she realises that judgment of others is often shallow and uninformed.

Upon finding her own book, Hannah discovers that her past holds the power to reshape her present.

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?

The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp is a powerful novel that explores themes of belonging, self-discovery, family, and friendships. It's a magical realist story from New Zealand about a young woman recovering from a life-changing accident and seeking redemption. The protagonist, Hannah Kemp, is a strong and engaging character, with a lively and self-aware inner voice, who navigates a fantastical library where stories come true. The book's writing is praised for being flawless, engaging, and often humourous, making it an absorbing read.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760657239

Publisher: Walker Books Australia

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 April 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: Walker Books Australia

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 275g

Pages: 368

About the Author

Leonie Agnew is an award-winning children's author, a former advertising copywriter, and currently moonlighting as a primary school teacher. Witnesses claim her defining characteristic is a tendency to make things up. This is called lying, unless you write it down. Then it is pleasantly referred to as being an author.

In 2022, Leonie won the junior fiction prize at the New Zealand Book Awards for the second time. She also won the Storylines 2022 Tessa Duder Award for her manuscript The Impossible Story of Hannah Kemp. Leonie has previously won the British David Fickling Master of the Inkpot prize, multiple Esther Glen awards, a national children's choice award and more. All this must be true because somebody else wrote it on her Wikipedia page, not Leonie.

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