A Hopscotch Summer cover art

A Hopscotch Summer

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A Hopscotch Summer

By: Annie Murray
Narrated by: Penelope Freeman
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About this listen

In 1930s Birmingham, in the impoverished district of Nechells, a young girl bravely endeavours to hold her family together in trying times. A Hopscotch Summer is an emotional journey of determination and resilience from Annie Murray.

Read by Penelope Freeman (My Daughter, My Mother)

Emma Brown is a young girl whose usual cheerful spirit is challenged when her household welcomes a new baby. Her mother, Cynthia, is losing herself. Her father, Bob, takes solace in alcohol.

Experiencing the hard slap of reality early in life, Emma tries to maintain the household and keep everyone's spirits up. But soon it seems that the only thing to do is for Cynthia to go and stay with her tyrannical older sister across the city.

Life gets even tougher for Emma with her mother away, so Emma travels across town to bring back her mother – all on her own. However, the mother she finds is barely recognizable . . .

A Hopscotch Summer explores life's harsh realities, the spirit of survival, and the hope for better days. An engaging listen that explores triumph over adversity and will stir your heart.

The series continues in Soldier Girl and All the Days of Our Lives.

©2009 Annie Murray (P)2014 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd 20th Century Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Historical Fiction Romance Marriage

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All stars
Most relevant
A lovely story. The narrator made it so much more interesting. One of the best.

easy listen

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I found this a sad but true story and reminded me of my own childhood as my mum had mental health after my brother was born and was admitted to a hospital in 1966

sad but true story

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loved it. easy to listen to. didn't want it to end. on to the next Annie Murray

gripping

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A moving story, about a working class family in Birmingham. Times were hard. And they face a lot of obstacles. Beautifully Written and wonderfully narrated. Penelope Freeman bought the characters to life.
I'm hoping to listen to others in this series.
highly recommended.

Beautiful Heartwarming Easy Listen

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I've e joyed all the Ann Murray stories that I have read and this one was just as good!
The voice of the children was hard to listen to at first but I got used to it so don't be put off by it. It really is worth sticking with.
Very sad at times. A realistic account of life at that time. It did have me in tears on many occasions.
I'm about to listen to the next book in this series and can't wait to see what happens next! Well wort the listen!!!

This grows on you. A great listen, sad at times!

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