The Song of Lewis Carmichael by Sofie Laguna illustrated by Marc McBride

"Two days to fly by balloon to the North Pole. Not possible."

In the middle of the night a crow taps on Matthew's window. Matthew actually met this same crow who has a broken wing earlier in the day. Outside Matthew sees a huge hot air balloon. The crow, who introduces him self as Lewis Carmichael, tells Matthew to hurry because it is time to head off to the North Pole. 

Matthew is a lonely kid who feels as though he does not fit in. School is hard, his parents seem over protective and relationships are complicated. Books are his solace and he especially loves to read about the world of the Arctic. He has read about the freezing temperatures, amazing wild creatures and the barren landscape. Could this invitation be part of a dream? Matthew is not sure but he tentatively climbs out of his upstairs bedroom window and climbs aboard the balloon.  

There is a third, unseen character, in the story who has outfitted the balloon with everything Matthew and Lewis Carmichael will need for their journey - warm clothes, food, water, a small stove and a good supply of tea. Matthew is not used to drinking tea but Lewis Carmichael insists they enjoy this warm beverage at regular intervals and Matthew finds comfort in the warmth and companionship.

"Who was it that said tea lifts the drinker to the realms of the gods? I drink it from takeaway cups in the park. Leftovers. You know, the last drops in the cup. But if I could have my own cup - what a treat.' Matthew found tea leaves in the box. He boiled water in the second tin pot and added the leaves. Then he poured the dark brew into two cups and placed one of the cups before Lewis."

Lewis Carmichael is truly special. He takes every opportunity to praise and encourage Matthew and gradually as they journey to, and arrive in, the Arctic, Matthew grows in confidence. 

Here are some of the supplies in the balloon:

"Matthew looked in the trunk. He found brown knee-length boots, lined with fur, and gloves made from the same padded, shiny material as the coat. There were boxes marked food and water. There was a small gas stove ... in the same box as dishes and cutlery, a frying pan, and a daypack a little like his own school bag. There was a second cylinder of gas, an enormous padded silver blanket, and a small leather case (where) he found a pair of black binoculars ... "

Now onto the title - Lewis Carmichael sings a song as a way to encourage Matthew:

In all the world, beneath all the skies,

All the skies, I never did see, never did see

I never did see, in all the world,

In all the lands, just this one.

This one boy ...

I'd love to hear the tune. 

The other very special feature of this book is the wonderful art by Marc McBride. It is quite different from his work you may have seen previously in books by Emily Rodda. The text is printed in blue and illustrations in this book are made from very fine lines in the same shade. It is easy to see that the style of illustrations he has created for this book echo Marc's admiration for the work of Edward Ardizzone.

Image Source: Marc McBride

You can read the first eleven pages of The Song of Lewis Carmichael here. In this interview with Joy Lawn at Paperbark Words, Sofie Laguna and her husband Marc McBride talk about their book. And in this podcast Sofie and Marc talk to Middle Grade Mavens. 

Click these review quotes to read more praise for this wonderful adventure:

Marc McBride’s illustrations shine within Laguna’s emotive and elegant poetic prose, which like music, skips, rises and falls. Two immensely gifted creators, collaborating to produce a novel of the utmost beauty. Kids' Book Review

This is an adventure story with a difference although it has a classic feel to it particularly the elements of the boy pitted against the natural world. It will be enjoyed by middle-primary readers and will also be one of those read-alouds where the listeners always ask for ‘just one more chapter’. Margot Hillel Reading Time

I agree with Margot Hillel also says: Lewis’s broken wing, that prevents him from flying, is a metaphor for Matthew’s inability to ‘spread his wings’ and take risks. 

In her interview with Joy Lawn, Sofie mentioned this book:

When I was a child, about nine years old, I read a book called ‘Una and Grubstreet’, by Prudence Andrew. The story is about a lonely girl, Una, who finds a lost baby she believes is neglected. Una is guided by her friend, a little wooden bear that speaks to her, called Grubstreet. The novel has stayed with me all my life. I realise as I write this, it has had a direct influence on me.

Addition to this post:

Joy Lawn, in The Australian newspaper September 11-12, 2021 wrote her review of this book and I would like to give you a few quotes. The article is entitled "A song of many colours". 

"an allusive, timeless fable that will be savoured by young and older readers. It is multifaceted and thought-provoking, with the tone and style of a classic."

"The writing is lit with perfectly paced images of the land, sea, ice and the natural world; the moon, sun and stars; the Milky Way and Northern Lights; birds and feathers and the succouring balloon."