The Peach Thief

Set in 1850s Lancashire, England, this enchanting middle-grade debut follows orphan Scilla Brown, who climbs the Earl of Havermore's garden wall in search of a peach and ends up with a job as a gardener's assistant. Mistaken for a boy, Scilla navigates her new life while forming a bond with Phin, a fellow apprentice, and learning the delicate art of cultivation from the head gardener. As Scilla grows in her role and confronts her longing for belonging, she grapples with the challenges of maintaining her secret and the desire for a true home. This heartfelt tale explores themes of ambition, identity, and the courage to bloom where one is planted.