A disturbing secret haunts two sisters in this spine-chilling YA historical thriller from award-winning author Frances Hardinge An ALA/ALSC Notable Children’s Book Following a mysterious accident that leaves her sopping wet, Triss awakens to a world that’s eerily off-kilter. Her memories are muddled, her sister despises her, and when she brushes her hair, out come crumbled fragments of leaves. Is she going mad? Or did her accident trigger a nightmarish chain of events? In her quest to learn the truth, Triss ventures from the shelter of her parents’ protective wings into the city’s underbelly. There she encounters strange creatures whose grand schemes could forever alter the fates of her family. From master storyteller Frances Hardinge comes the unnerving tale of one girl’s struggle to confront her darkest fears in order to triumph over a world where nothing is as it seems. Gr 5 Up—Ever since her older brother died in World War I, things have been tense for Triss and her family. After Triss suffers a horrible accident, her memory is hindered and all of a sudden she feels a strange, insatiable hunger that can only be calmed by digesting unusual items. From here, events proceed in an unexpected way as magical promises are made, relationships are tested, and characters question what it means to be alive. Mysterious letters and dangerous strangers create a mood of suspicion and paranoia as pieces of the story fall into place at just the right moment. Many secondary characters make understandable but regrettable mistakes throughout, cementing themselves as realistic and complex individuals. The beautiful writing is full of rich language that is reminiscent of an old fairy tale. Fans of Hardinge will not be disappointed in this latest spine-chilling, creative work that offers a nuanced depiction of grief within the structure of a well-wrought fantasy.—Carrie Shaurette, Dwight-Englewood School, Englewood, NJ STARRED REVIEW "Fans of Hardinge will not be disappointed in this latest spine-chilling, creative work that offers a nuanced depiction of grief within the structure of a well-wrought fantasy."― Carrie Shaurette, Dwight-Englewood School, Englewood, NJ , School Library Journal "Hardinge slowly and craftily builds a horrific yet spellbinding narrative that culminates in an unforgettable confrontation...and those who like horror served with a side of hopeful frightfulness will thoroughly enjoy this book."― Etienne Vallee , VOYA STARRED REVIEW "Nuanced and intense, this painstakingly created tale mimics the Escher-like constructions of its villainous Architect, fooling the eyes and entangling the emotions of readers willing and able to enter into a world like no other."― Kirkus Reviews STARRED REVIEW "In addition to her beautiful, enrapturing, and careful use of language, Hardinge’s story is vivid, frightening, and inventive, with narrative twists and turns that feel both surprising and inevitable....A piercing, chilling page-turner."― Krista Hutley , Booklist STARRED REVIEW "In the guise of a gorgeously written and disconcerting fairy tale, Hardinge delves deeply into the darker side of family life, particularly sibling rivalry and the devasting effect war can have on those left at home."― Publishers Weekly "Cuckoo Song is a sophisticated, disturbing tale that shivers with suspense and touching moments of bravery."― The Horn Book Magazine "With a combination of horror and wry humor reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's Coraline, Cuckoo Song transcends its teen-reader designation. The pyschological and historical nuances...will mesmerize older readers as well."― BookPage STARRED REVIEW "Hardinge’s quiet but elegant prose moves the story seamlessly from an effectively creepy horror tale to a powerful, emotionally resonant story of regret and forgiveness."― The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Frances Hardinge is the winner of the Costa Book of the Year and Costa Children’s Book Awards for The Lie Tree. She is also the author of The Lost Conspiracy (five starred reviews; Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist), Fly by Night (shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize), Well Witched ( School Library Journal Best Book of 2008), and Fly Trap (shortlisted for the Guardian prize, longlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal). She lives in England. www.franceshardinge.com .