Explore

Extras

See inside

Skip to the beginning of the images gallery

What the World Doesn't See

By: Mel Darbon

Age 13+

£8.99

In stock

"Poignant, tender, and utterly absorbing, I defy you not to root for Jake and Maudie." Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal
"A hug of a book that holds the reader tight and says sometimes the world is too much and it's ok not to be ok." Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How to Change the World

Run away from what they see. Discover who you are.

Maudie and Jake's family is falling to pieces - their mum's been struggling with her grief since they lost Dad and one night she vanishes. When Jake is put into care, Maudie can't take it any more. She comes up with a wild plan to pull their family back together - by kidnapping Jake.
On the run in Cornwall, Jake and Maudie each find something they hadn't expected - freedom and love. But can they find Mum and a way to heal together?

A powerful and insightful novel about grief, disability and first love; a story about getting lost and finding yourself.

Details

Extent:: 384 pages
Dimensions:: 198 x 130mm
Paperback ISBN:: 9781474937849
Key Stage:: KS3
Publication Date:: March 2023
Work Reference:: 04620

Author

Mel Darbon spent a large part of her childhood inventing stories to keep her brother, who had learning disabilities, happy on car journeys. Having worked as a theatre designer and freelance artist, as well as teaching young adults with learning disabilities and running creative workshops for teenage mums, young offenders and toddlers, Mel now writes young adult novels. She is a graduate of Bath Spa's MA in Writing For Young People, where she found a channel to give voice to young people who otherwise might not be heard. Her first book, Rosie Loves Jack, was a World Book Night and Empathy Lab selection.

Find out more about Mel Darbon

Awards

Shortlisted

Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2024

Nominated

The Yoto Carnegie Medal 2024

Nominated

Read for Empathy Collection 2024

Press

Poignant, tender, and utterly absorbing, I defy you not to root for Jake and Maudie.

Lisa Williamson, author of The Art of Being Normal

What The World Doesn't See is a brave and tender book about loss, family bonds and not judging on first appearance. Jake is such a wonderfully unique and fully-rounded character, who happens to have a learning disability; the sort of character that is so rarely seen - yet is so vitally important - in fiction for young adults.

Joseph Elliott, author of The Good Hawk

An important and beautiful story about the tight bond between two siblings, and looking beyond a person's disabilities.

Susin Nielsen, author of We Are All Made of Molecules

An extraordinary story told by an incredible talent.

Jasbinder Bilan, author of Asha and the Spirit Bird

Eye-opening, heart-wrenching, and ultimately so uplifting. A hug of a book that holds the reader tight and says sometimes the world is too much and it's ok not to be ok.

Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of How to Change the World

Extras

Discussion questions