War of the Wind

An award-winning climate fiction novel that explores unlikely friendships as a group of children with disabilities find themselves at the heart of an eco-mystery.

‘A thought-provoking, contemporary, utterly fabulous story with a brave protagonist’ Clare Fulton

On a remote Scottish island, 14-year-old Max’s life is changed forever when he loses his hearing in a boating accident. He has to navigate a new silent world alone—even his parents don’t understand that wearing a hearing aid doesn’t mean he can hear clearly. On top of that, he’s placed in a special educational needs class surrounded by kids he once picked on.

When people start acting strangely and Max’s hearing aid picks up odd sounds from a new wind farm off the coast, he suspects a sinister scientist is using wind turbines to experiment on the islanders. Could being different be an advantage? Max enlists the help of his classmates to shut down the government’s secret test before it spins out of control…

‘A powerful eco-adventure driven by four teenagers who have additional support needs’  Joanne Owen

‘A fast-paced adventure with real heart which does not gloss over the challenges faced by young people who are different. Empathetic, honest and compelling’ Barbara Henderson

‘Max struggles with the sudden loss of his hearing. When wind turbines appear in the bay, events turn sinister. Victoria Williamson cranks up the tension perfectly until the book’s thrilling ending’ Juliette Forrest

‘The depiction of deaf and disabled characters is convincing, honest and nuanced, and Max’s fury with his hearing aids is almost tangible. Themes of loss, dyslexia and bullying are also woven neatly in’ BookTrust

A Financial Times Book of the Year

Nominated for The Yoto Carnegies Medal for Writing 2024

Shortlisted for The Week Junior Book Prize in 2023

Paperback: 250pp

Published: Wilton Square (September 2022)

ISBN: 9781911107507