Daisy Faith Evans

Eleven- year old Lemon Quartz Ellen James only has vague memories of her beloved mother, who she tragically lost many years ago. Her death left her daughter with only a couple of priceless mementos, including the exquisite lemon quartz bracelet she was named after.

 

Now, in 1872, the Ellen-James family dwell in Endfell Alley, one of many filthy slums in the backstreets of Victorian London , and Lemon Quartz’s life is rife with hardships. From the poverty stricken environment she grows up in, to the endless feud with her stepmother Samantha, whose behaviour becomes increasingly unstable, she worries for her safety.

 

A selfless optimist at heart, Lemon Quartz holds out hope for a brighter future through her devotion to her four younger siblings, who all look up to and adore her, and her caring Papa, whose love and devotion she has never doubted.

 

But the future, far from looking bright, becomes dimmer than ever when an unexpected tragedy tears the family apart. As her world shifts dramatically, Lemon Quartz is forced to face challenges greater than her vivid imagination could ever conjure. The harsh reality of nineteenth century England is brought to life as Lemon Quartz desperately holds on to the one thing she has not yet lost; hope.

 

But will hope be enough to save her family – and herself?

 

This brand new novel by teenage author Daisy Faith Evans threads together a powerful story that emphasises the importance of family, the hardships of grief, and most importantly, the ever prevalent message of finding hope in the hardest times.