The Light in Everything

2022 middle grade novel by Katya Balen

The Light in Everything

Author| Katya Balen
Publisher| Bloomsbury Publishing

Publication date

| April 1, 2022
ISBN| 9781526622990

The Light in Everything is a 2022 middle-grade novel by Katya Balen. It has been shortlisted for the 2023 Carnegie Medal.

## Plot[edit]

This article needs a plot summary. Please add one in your own words. (September 2023) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

## Reception[edit]

A review by Emily Bearn in The Telegraph of The Light in Everything states, "One of the challenges in children’s fiction is making difficult subjects palatable, without rendering them bland. Balen triumphs: what unfolds here is a deceptively complex story, in which she explores themes of grief and abandonment through the unfiltered voices of two children on the cusp of adolescence."[1] Carolyn Boyd writes in a review for The School Librarian, "Although the plot is about a blended family, the true centre is people learning to deal with their feelings. Balen's wise, supportive text guides both the characters and the reader through the storms to a safe haven."[2]

A review in The Irish Times states, "The prose is beautiful, the tension blistering: The Light in Everything is a highly recommended read for mature children aged 10+, as well as their adults."[3] In the Irish Independent, Sarah Webb describes October, October as "one of the most extraordinary, immersive children's books I've ever read" and writes, "The Light in Everything is all set to be another lifelong favourite. [...] Her characters are so well drawn you don't read their story, you live it."[4]

## Awards and honors[edit]

The Light in Everything has been shortlisted for the 2023 Carnegie Medal.[5][6]

## References[edit]

1. ^ Bearn, Emily (26 January 2023). "The Light in Everything, review: Katya Balen skilfully handles hard-hitting issues for young readers". The Telegraph. Retrieved 15 June 2023.
2. ^ Boyd, Carolyn (Summer 2022). "The Light in Everything". The School Librarian. 70 (2): 46. ProQuest 2681537096
3. ^ "A car journey out of this world". The Irish Times. 17 December 2022. ProQuest 2754989781
4. ^ Webb, Sarah (26 March 2022). "CRACKING READS FOR KIDS THIS EASTER AND BEYOND". Irish Independent. ProQuest 2643172215
5. ^ "The Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing Shortlist 2023". The Yoto Carnegies. Retrieved 2023-09-15.
6. ^ Shaffi, Sarah (2023-03-17). "Carnegie medal for writing announces all-female shortlist". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 25 May 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-06.