For almost eleven-year-old Trader, school is a trial and friends are something that other people have. Trader is happiest on the beach with his beloved Grandpa who has taught him so much. Just like his Grandpa, Trader is a beachcomber, searching for the treasures which the beach has to offer and seeking out their secrets and stories. As the end of Year 6 approaches and the summer holidays beckon, Trader discovers a pebble. He knows immediately that this is a special find, but little does he know just how much everything is about to change. To start with, Grandpa is very excited by the discovery and begins to behave quite differently. Trader becomes convinced that his pebble has magical qualities and will help him if he is in trouble. Can he share his secrets with new pupil Charlotte? Is it possible that Trader could, finally, have found a friend? When bottles containing mysterious messages arrive on the beach and a photograph reveals a long-hidden family secret, Trader and Charlotte work together to uncover a mystery from the past. This is an enchanting middle-grade adventure story for readers aged 9+ which captures the bonds between children and their grandparents, and the importance of friendship. I enjoyed exploring the beach with the characters.
Suzanne Chinnock
The Last Pebble by Alex Horne
Walker Books
ISBN 9781529502565
£7.99
Published 2025
