Mira Bartók’s The Wonderling is a story full of heart and soul, and one of my favourite middle fiction reads of 2017. This is a story about groundlings – beings that are part animal and part human – who are treated as lesser beings merely because of their mixed heritage, and banished to live in an orphanage far removed from more elevated society.

Headmistress Carbunkle, a cruel villainess who reigns supreme over this unfortunate institution, subjects the groundlings to terrible hardship and suffering. It’s a place where it rains all the time, where singing is banned and friendships among the students are discouraged and treated as a punishable offence. But these risks don’t stop Arthur, the hero of this story, from standing up to a bully, making a new friend and daring to believe in a life beyond the bleak orphanage walls.

The brave escape in pursuit of freedom and the arduous adventure that follows will have you holding your breath in fear, hope and wonder.

Natalie Platten is the assistant manager and children’s book buyer at Readings Doncaster.