The Blue Book of Nebo by Manon Steffan Ros

Winner of the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Writing 2023

Translated from Welsh

Book seller blurb: Dylan was six when The End came, back in 2018; when the electricity went off for good, and the 'normal' 21st century world he knew disappeared. Now he's 14 and he and his mam have survived in their isolated hilltop house above the village of Nebo in north-west Wales, learning new skills, and returning to old ways of living. Despite their close understanding, the relationship between mother and son changes subtly as Dylan must take on adult responsibilities. And they each have their own secrets, which emerge as, in turn, they jot down their thoughts and memories in a found notebook - the Blue Book of Nebo.

A couple of weeks ago I visited the new premises for the famous Melbourne bookshop - The Little Bookroom. I spied a book by an author I did not know - Feathers by Manon Steffan Ros (more about that in a minute). My friends from southern NSW met me at the bookshop which had just opened that day and independently of me my friend found another book by the same author - The Blue Book of Nebo. Once we were home, we both read this book and agreed it was terrific - short and powerful and certainly a page turner. I highly recommend The Blue Book of Nebo for readers aged 15+. 

I especially loved the way the ending is left open and also the way the author holds back right to the end before telling you about Dylan's little sister Mona. Dylan is also a wonderful character because he is so patient with everything they need to do to survive - building shelters to grow food, collecting and storing firewood, and saving seeds. I also liked the way on the day of the catastrophe Rowen, who was working as a hairdresser, has the presence of mind to go to several stores and buy tools and other very useful things - she somehow knows their lives are about the completely change. 

A curiously sweet-tempered novel that finds the upside of global catastrophe. Kirkus

This slim book packs a huge emotional punch and is a thoughtful, grounded look at what life might be like for a child growing up in the wake of a terrible disaster. At the heart of the novel is Dylan's connection with his mother, Rowenna - most of his memories are of the life they've led in the wake of the destruction, whilst hers are of the people, relationships, and experiences from before.  Book Trust

You can read lots more plot details for The Blue Book of Nebo here. I was also unfamiliar with the publisher Firefly Press. The Empathy Lab have some teachers notes for The Blue Book of Nebo. Here is a five minute video where Manon Steffan reads an extract from her book. I would pair this book with  titles by Bren McDibble such as Across the Risen Sea and an old long out of print book - Chance of Safety. 

Here is another book by Manon Steffan Ros written for a younger audience ages 9+.

Huw always pops in to see his nan on the way home from school - she bakes him cakes and never fusses about his homework. So, it's a great shock when, one day, Nan forgets his name and calls him Johnny - the long unmentionable name of her late brother. As Nan slowly slips into the grip of dementia, Huw and his friends go on a quest to learn more about Johnny and what happened to him. Exploring themes of friendship, family bonds and the history of conscientious objection in WW2, Feather is both modern and historical, as well as being relatable, particularly for children who may have grandparents with a similar dementia struggle to Nan. Aimed at ages 9-14, the original Welsh edition, Pluen won the Tir na n-Og Award Wales children's fiction Award in 2017.

Manon Steffan Ros was born in Snowdonia and worked as an actress before becoming a writer. She writes for adults and children and has won the Wales Book of the Year for her adult fiction as well as being four times winner of the Tir na N'Og Welsh children's literature award. She has also won Eisteddfod and National Theatre Wales awards for her drama writing. She lives in north Wales with her sons.