Ettie and the Midnight Pool

Julia Green returns to some of the themes she explored in her novel The Children of Swallow Fell in her new book but adds extra layers,  including the opposing pulls of freedom and family experienced by young people, the importance of facing up to the world as it is, and accepting and understanding the darkness that’s part of life. In a society recovering from an (unspecified) pandemic or climate catastrophe, Ettie and her grandmother live peaceful lives of self-sufficiency, remote from other people, growing most of their own food, selling what is left to buy what need via their old friend Tom and his shop. Now eleven, Ettie knows no one her own age, but has been happy with her grandma, reading, listening to stories, sketching, and roaming the beautiful hills, fields and woods that surround their home. Her mother left to go travelling and because of whatever it is that’s happened is now unable to return or even to send letters. When one evening Ettie sees a girl about her own age, with what appears to be a fox as a companion, she is drawn to follow them, discovering a hidden pool in an old quarry in the process. Returning the next day, she finds the girl hurt in one of the old slate mine tunnels and helps her. As their friendship develops, Cora teaches Ettie how to dive into the freezing water of the pool and tells her stories of caves that can only be reached through underwater tunnels. Ettie for her part keeps Cora a secret from her grandma, who is increasingly worried about Ettie’s long absences and new, angry frustration with their quiet, restricted lives. While Ettie is fascinated by Cora’s wild, free existence, readers have a growing sense of unease. Who is Cora really? Is Ettie safe with her, and what happened at the pool that makes her grandmother describe it not just dangerous but a place of tragedy?

As the summer heat breaks, the story reaches its climax and, in a life or death situation, Ettie must decide who she is and what she wants. We discover why the pool has such horrible associations for her grandma, who in turn must admit that hiding the truth can’t make everything right in the world. Uncomfortable even painful truths about Ettie’s mother are revealed too. Cora’s identity remains a mystery, though there are clues perhaps in the ancient stories that Ettie and her grandmother share. Julia Green combines a vivid sense of the British countryside in summer in all its life and verdancy with an awareness of its mystery and dangers. Black and white illustrations by Pam Smy reflect back that languid energy and menace, the light and dark that’s at the book’s heart. Haunting and beautifully written, this is a story that will resonate with readers.