Swanfall

Name: Swanfall
Price: 16.99 AUD
Availability: PreOrder
ISBN: 9781526642820

The Times Children's Book of the Week*

Sophie Kirtley

$16.99

Paperback

Forthcoming
Pre-Order now

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English

Bloomsbury
03 February 2026

General fiction (Children's&YA); Adventure stories (Children's&YA); Horror & ghost stories, chillers (Children's&YA); Fantasy & magical realism (Children's&YA); History & the past: general interest (Children's&YA); Kids

‘Swanfall manages to capture the kind of magic of a great winter walk. As Soon as you’re finished, you’ll want to pull on your wellies and stomp outside in search of the wild places, where all you can hear are honking geese, winter waders and the sound of wind in the reeds. Hot chocolates all round.’ The Times on Swanfall

‘A beautiful story to teach children why nature must be defended … at the heart of the story is something more universal: a child’s transformative bond with the natural world ... It’s that elusive magic that she captures so cleverly…’ The Telegraph on Swanfall

‘An utterly absorbing 8+ fantasy.’ The Guardian on Swanfall

A thrilling new adventure story inspired by Irish folklore from Sophie Kirtley, author of The Wild Way Home. Perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson's The House with Chicken Legs, Amy Wilson's A Girl Called Owl and Aisha Bushby's A Pocketful of Stars.

Pip lives with Mum in their isolated cottage on the wetlands. Pip struggles to feel like he fits in at school. But at home, amongst nature, he truly feels he can be himself.

Just like every winter, Pip is waiting for the swanfall – when the flock of majestic Arctic swans return from Siberia on their annual migration. He knows every swan by their unique markings, and he loves to help Mum record the flock as they soar, shining through the sky, to their home. But this December, Pip’s favourite three swans haven’t appeared. Instead, Pip notices strange footprints in the snow, whispers on the wind and the sense that someone is watching him.

Something mysterious is afoot, and the adventure to discover the truth leads Pip to follow clues to an ancient curse that he had always believed was simply a fairytale …
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* ‘A chilling winter's tale, glittering the magic of friendship, song and arctic swans.’ Sarah Ann Juckes, author of The Night Animals

‘Swanfall is perfect for anyone aged 8+ who likes books about nature, friendship, magic – or who just likes great stories!’ Kirsty Applebaum, author of The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good on Swanfall

‘A beautiful, thrilling, timeless tale - I loved it.’ Lucy Strange, author of The Secret of Nightingale Wood on Swanfall

‘A beautiful, atmospheric story packed full of adventure and wonder.’ Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear on Swanfall

‘Sophie Kirtley’s beautifully written new novel is an adventure-filled tale of friendship and belonging, all wrapped up in a centuries-old mystery. This magical, wintry read is perfect for curling up with on a chilly day. I adored it!’ Olivia Wakeford, author of My Dog on Swanfall

‘…the wonder of the natural world, Irish folklore, and anxieties around friendship are all wrapped up in an adventure infused with Kirtley’s signature spooky atmosphere.’ The Irish Examiner on Swanfall

‘This is a book that will excite young nature lovers and those who enjoy a strong character-driven story.’ The Big Issue on Swanfall
*Swanfall was The Times Children's Book of the Week the week of 15/12/2025

By: Sophie Kirtley
Imprint: Bloomsbury
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 196mm, Width: 128mm, Spine: 26mm
Weight: 225g
ISBN: 9781526642820
ISBN 10: 1526642824
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 03 February 2026
Recommended Age: From 9 to 11 years
Audience: Children/juvenile , Children / Juvenile
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Sophie Kirtley grew up in Northern Ireland, where she spent her childhood climbing on hay bales, rolling down sand dunes and leaping the raw Atlantic waves. Nowadays she lives in Wiltshire with her husband, three children and their mini-menagerie of pets and wild things. Sophie has always loved stories; she has taught English and has worked in a theatre, a bookshop and a tiny pub where folk tell fairytales by candlelight. Sophie is also a prize-winning published poet and the author of middle-grade novels The Wild Way Home and The Way to Impossible Island.

Reviews for Swanfall: The Times Children's Book of the Week*

A chilling winter's tale, glittering the magic of friendship, song and arctic swans – Sarah Ann Juckes, author of The Night Animals on SWANFALL SWANFALL is perfect for anyone aged 8+ who likes books about nature, friendship, magic – or who just likes great stories! – Kirsty Applebaum, author of The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good on SWANFALL A beautiful, thrilling, timeless tale - I loved it – Lucy Strange, author of The Secret of Nightingale Wood on SWANFALL Such an adventure! Gorgeous use of setting, relatable characters, oodles of atmosphere & a mighty fine story which keeps you gripped right to the very end * Hannah Gold, author of The Last Bear, on THE HAUNTING OF FORTUNE FARM * A ghost story, a mystery, and a book about love, belonging and grief. It's ghostly and atmospheric and would have you glued to the pages till its satisfying end * Nizrana Farook, author of The Girl Who Stole an Elephant, on THE HAUNTING OF FORTUNE FARM * The Wild Way Home echoes Skellig and Stig of the Dump, with a bold, readable charm entirely its own … Full of peril, sadness and wild joy, it’s a timeslip adventure with a difference * Guardian on THE WILD WAY HOME * So good I read it twice * Hilary McKay on THE WILD WAY HOME * I loved this unique, quirky story full of heart * Jasbinder Bilan on THE WILD WAY HOME * A fast-paced adventure full of heart * Hannah Gold on THE WAY TO IMPOSSIBLE ISLAND * Delivers in spades. It made me laugh, cry, gasp and turn the pages for one more chapter every time I had to stop * Nizrana Farook on THE WILD WAY HOME * Dazzling storytelling * Hilary McKay on THE WAY TO IMPOSSIBLE ISLAND * Amazing and brilliant and stupendous and all the exclamations * Nizrana Farook on THE WAY TO IMPOSSIBLE ISLAND * ‘A beautiful story to teach children why nature must be defended … at the heart of the story is something more universal: a child’s transformative bond with the natural world ... It’s that elusive magic that she captures so cleverly…’ The Telegraph on Swanfall ‘An utterly absorbing 8+ fantasy.’ The Guardian on Swanfall ‘…the wonder of the natural world, Irish folklore, and anxieties around friendship are all wrapped up in an adventure infused with Kirtley’s signature spooky atmosphere.’ The Irish Examiner on Swanfall