Just So Stories

Bloomsbury Publishing

January 2026

ISBN: 9781526663931

Imprint: Bloomsbury Children’s Books

RRP: $16.99

I have eaten up every Katya Balen title that has come my way and they never disappoint. Each new story has its own fresh and original approach and, without fail, her characters are astonishingly vibrant and so completely authentic.

Each and everyone pulls one into the narrative and you, the reader, feels so immersed in the story. A silent bystander and witness to the turmoil and emotion of each protagonist. While some have a magical or mystical atmosphere, this one is very firmly contemporary and what could be described as gritty realism.

It’s an increasingly common scenario, actually. Children who have easily triggered anger, and find themselves ostracised, suspended, expelled, or worse. In this instance, Con has been angry since his father left him and his mother.

Actually, he was angry before that too and, really, he believes his anger at his father is what caused him to leave. Like many children following the breakdown of a marriage, he blames himself entirely for his father not only leaving, but not even keeping in touch.

Being bullied at school because of his home situation exacerbates his anger, and he’s only just getting back on track with keeping it under control, when one day it spills over into physicality after his main tormentor taunts him yet again.

Con is suspended again and he’s stuck at home, horribly alone and now sad as well as angry, because he’s let his mother and his teacher down. He’s also alienated his best friend who lives in the same building. He’s utterly wretched and alone. And then the old man next door offers to keep an eye on him and a new, positive, and eventually life-affirming, relationship slowly begins to build.

Mr Williams keeps homing pigeons and when Con discovers the joy of holding one of these delicate birds in his hands, and starts building trust with them, he is also, unknowingly, building trust in himself.

As the narrative unfolds, the reader is fully taken into the circle of these two and we are completely on Con’s side. His turmoil over his father, the worry about the local gang beating him up, the horror when he finds they have damaged the pigeon coop, his despair that he is letting his mum down as well as Mr Williams, all these are real and damaging emotions for Con.

But with validation from neighbours and friends all gradually, piece by piece, restoring trust in him, their actions start to create a resilience in Con that he never knew he had. It’s a redemption story that will bring tears to your eyes and I have no doubt that your astute readers from around 10 years upwards will have a real connection with Con and be on his side from the start.

It is no surprise to me that Katya Balen is a multi-award winning author, including the Carnegie Medal as well as other prestigious awards. For me, I’m giving this one a 5 🪽🪽🪽🪽🪽rating.