The Girl of Ink and Stars

Story

Isabella is the daughter of a map maker, who’s forbidden to leave her island, Joya. When her friend disappears, she volunteers to look for her. Armed only with her father’s maps and a knowledge of myths and the stars, she embarks on a journey through a world of monsters and magical rivers.

Why we chose it

A beautifully written story, which introduces an original fantasy world complete with its own myths and maps and a fearless heroine who longs for adventure. A story of friendship and loyalty in a fascinating new fantasy world.

Where it came from

Kiran Millwood Hargrave was a poet before writing this book, her debut novel, and travelled a lot when she was younger. The main character in the book, Isabella, is based on one of her cousins, who lives in New Delhi. The island of Joya is inspired by her trip to La Gomera, the smallest Canary Island - which has volcanoes and its own myths.

Where it went next

The book was a great success, winning the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2017 and the British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year, as well as being shortlisted for others.

Associated stories

Kiran Millwood Hargrave has gone on to write two more children’s books - The Island at the End of Everything and The Way Past Winter, which were both shortlisted for a number of awards. The Way Past Winter was the Blackwell’s Children’s Book of the Year 2018.

She has also written a YA book, The Deathless Girls, which was shortlisted for Foyles Book of the Year.