Review: Sally and the Lost Photograph by Judi Curtin and Rachel Corcoran (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)

September 2024, O'Brien Press, 288 pages, Paperback, Review copy

Summary from The O'Brien Press

 Life in New York is exciting for newly settled Sally and her sister Bridget. When the girls discover an old photograph they are determined to find Miss Cameron's lost love, and maybe help their sick friend Betty too. Can everyone's stories have a happy ending?

Nayu's thoughts

I need to disclose I'm probably biased in this review as I love all books from The O'Brien Press and Judi's books are always superb, this one being no exception. I already know Sally from earlier books (see suggested read), so returning to her life was like returning to a friend. She and her sister Bridget have previously journeyed from Ireland to New York, which was a big culture. In Sally and the Lost Photograph the girls are more settled into life, and they are determined to help their friends find happiness. They have to be sensitive as all involved have reasons to not want direct help, and how they managed this was cleverly done with help from the universe too. 

I love how real life feels for the girls - they work really hard and unfortunately live in a not nice situation, but they don't let this get them down. They try and find the joy in life, such as good food and fresh air which they are mindful not to take for granted because not all their friends are so fortunate, like Betty. The siblings aren't wealthy at all, but they have more than Betty does so try and be clever in how they give Betty extra food and items. They have a different relationship with Miss Cameron as they work for her, but it is a sweet friendship all the same.

The historical setting feels realistic, it is nice not to have modern contraptions like mobile phones and the internet. They retain family ties despite living so far away, although the distance is often hard as they are for the most part on their own in America. I only put the book down when life made me, as Judi's easy to read style is engaging and often funny. I'm very eager for the girls' next adventure as life in their own flat without their evil family member will make a huge difference to them! 

Find out more at Judi's website and Rachel's website. 

Suggested read

Be sure to read other tales in the series including Sally In The City of Dreams by Judi Curtin, illustrator Rachel Cocoran (Children's, 9 years +, 10E/10E)