A Flash of Fireflies

By Aisha Bushby
Published by Farshore
Ages 9 and upwards

'Adventures sound rather exciting, I know. Most stories will tell you to seek them. But the sorts of adventures I went on were bothersome, repetitive and exhausting.'

In this story, Hazel moves to England from Kuwait, which triggers visits from ominous fireflies that come when she experiences anxiety. At the same time she is learning about fairytales at summer school. They are so much like her firefly adventures that Hazel suspects she may be in a fairytale and she needs to find a way out...

Hazel's real life and fairytale lore merge and mingle with each other so cleverly in this book. And, although described using fantasy elements, I can relate to the call, compulsion and frustration of following the fireflies, as well as the need to stand up to them, as a fellow sufferer of OCD. Their tasks are such a unique and yet relatable way of describing it.

This story reads like a eerie fairytale itself, whilst exploring fairytales, illness and illusion. It is expertly done, and Aisha is talented at using imagery.