From award-winning author Hilary McKay comes an enchanting illustrated middle grade novel in the spirit of Matilda about a lonely orphan who dreams of escaping her ghastly aunt and uncle.
Rosa has always believed there is magic in the world. Or at least, she hopes there is. She lost her parents when she was four, and her aunt and uncle moved into her home not long after, transforming it from a messy place of love and warmth to a cold world of business. Their approach to family is as phony as the plastic grass they sell, keeping Rosa at armâs length and tucking her in at night by locking her in her room.
Now eleven, Rosaâs loneliness threatens to overwhelm her. Her only solace is the magic she sees around her, particularly in a cat named Balthazar who comes toâand throughâher window. When all the teachers at her school win the lottery and quit their jobs, Rosaâs aunt and uncle seize the opportunity to put an evil plan into action. They whisk Rosa away to Venice, intending to abandon her there. Luckily for Rosa, there are cats in Veniceâand a laughing boy in a gondola and a family making sure she is fed.
In Rosaâs darkest hour, can the magic sheâs never lost faith in save the day?