The Waters and the Wild

A beautiful novel in verse about grief, family and the power of hope from Eilish Fisher, award-winning author of Fia and the Last Snow Deer.Shortlisted for Children's Book of the Year: Poetry - The Week Junior Book Awards 2026.
Shortlisted for The Children's Wainwright Prize for Fiction 2026.Rowan was raised in the desert. Growing up all she's known is sunshine, warmth, love. Then her beloved Dad dies, everything changes.Now Rowan and her mum have moved from the hazy heat of the desert to the cold landscape of Ireland. Each of them hoping that living in the town Rowan's Dad called home will bring them closer to him.But as soon as Rowan arrives, she knows something's not right. Why is it so cold even in August? Why do lights turn on without warning or kettles boil with no one pressing a switch?Even more mysterious is The Wall. It surrounds the town, but no one can tell Rowan who built it or how long it's stood, or why it's forbidden to cross over to the other side. So, when she spots a crack in the stone, Rowan can't resist the temptation to explore. In the woods beyond, she discovers a strange horse whom she feels an instant connection with, a bond that brings the return of warmth and hope . . . but at what price?