Scarlet Ibis is a wonderfully touching novel about the relationship between a sister and her younger brother. Gill Lewis has penned a compelling novel focusing on the lengths a sister will go to in order to ensure the safety and security of her younger brother.
Scarlet is more than used to looking after her younger brother, Red. There are a couple of underlying issues that Lewis weaves into the narrative here. Their mother is clearly suffering from a form of depression, struggling to cope day to day and unable to sleep in the evenings. Lewis highlights that what we see on the outside does not reveal the struggles that go on behind closed doors
Scarlet’s brother Red on the other hand has his own set of special needs – Autism spectrum is hinted at halfway through the novel. Red’s feeling of safety is locked up in his fascination with birds, he collects feathers and carefully arranges them in the right order, a wonderful strand of the novel which comes into fruition towards the end.
A dangerous incident occurs that leads to both Red and Scarlet being placed in temporary care, separate from each other. Lewis tenderly follows Scarlet as she struggles to cope with the warm and inviting environment the family provides, whilst worrying about Red.
Lewis keeps the plot speeding along at a pleasing pace as Scarlet immerses herself in a new friendship group, and makes an unexpected discovery close to her school which turns out to be quite a game changer.
There are many delicately woven layers to Scarlet Ibis. Gill Lewis touches on identity with her main character Scarlet being mixed race, she also has to deal with the misconceptions of others due to her different colouring from her brother.
Thanks to the success of Sky Hawk, Gill Lewis has firmly established herself as a master story teller for this age group. Sensitive, gripping and with carefully established characters Scarlet Ibis is a highly recommended read for those aged 10+
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