The Wind Singer

Story

Nobody likes exams – but imagine your performance dictated your merit, what colour your family can wear and in which district they are allowed to live! Such a place is Aramanth. Kestrel rebels against the system and flees with her twin brother, their hope lying in finding the voice of the mysterious Wind Singer.

Why we chose it

An unusual fantasy quest set in a dystopian city.

Where it came from

William Nicholson was taught in a monastic school, thinking about society’s search for meaning from an early age. He writes for both children and adults and is also an acclaimed playwright and screenwriter, earning him Oscar, BAFTA, Emmy and Tony nominations. His works for the screen include Gladiator and Les Misérables.

Where it went next

The Wind Singer won the Smarties Book Prize and the Blue Peter Book Award.

Associated stories

The Wind Singer is the first book in the Wind On Fire trilogy, followed by sequels Slaves to the Mastery (2001) and Firesong (2002).