Apple Bough

A heart-warming story of music, family and finding a home by Noel Streatfeild, the author of Ballet Shoes,

So your brother's a world-famous violinist? That's amazing! Or is it?

The Forums are a musical family, and one child, Sebastian, shines out as a prodigy. He is a brilliant violinist and when his talent is recognised, he is wanted the world over. Myra, Wolfgang (named after Mozart) and Ettie thought it was wonderful at first, but after four years of touring the world with their brilliant brother they've changed their minds. Now, what they long for, is a home of their own, not a hotel in Vienna or Venice or Moscow.

But to their mother and father, a life of travel is exciting - all any child could want. How can the children make the grown-ups see sense?

Myra makes a plan - 'Operation Home' - and is determined to make it succeed.

About the Author

Noel Streatfeild (1895-1986) was born in Amberley, Sussex. Her father was Bishop of Lewes and her great-grandmother was the prison reformer, Elizabeth Fry. She was a mischievous child, often in trouble at home. While growing up, she and her sisters put on plays for parish causes and, after making munitions during World War I, she trained as an actress. Noel Streatfeild started by writing books for adults. Then in 1931 she published her first children's book. Her best-loved novel, BALLET SHOES, was published in 1936.When World War II broke out, she worked in canteens for the armed forces and for those injured by bombs.

She wrote over 80 books in her lifetime and lived in London till her death.