A wistful, comforting treasure of a story destined to become a classic.

Beautiful, captivating, such a joy to read I didn’t want it to end!

A magical story, beautifully told and illustrated too. With cats and Venice and – at the end – kindness.

Even in the darkest of times, there are cats and magic and starlight! This is a book to be treasured – I loved it.

Rosa by Starlight is magical not least because of Hilary McKay’s magic touch. From the first line, I was under its spell …

A charming Ghibli-esque tale of a girl whose only friends are cats. Surprising and magical in equal measures.

A quirky, dreamy and melancholy tale about a young girl finding her place in the world

A star-filled story of courage, belonging and the particular magic of feline friends. A treasure of a tale, beautifully told.”

Rosa’s world has become very small since her parents passed. An unfamiliar aunt and uncle come to claim her and the family house, but the uncaring grownups are interested only in monetary success and keeping their life as tidy and uncomplicated as possible. Rosa’s presence is, of course, a massive complication in their eyes, and they disapprove of the lovely girl’s general existence. Despite her increasingly dire circumstances, Rosa’s belief in magic never wavers—a conviction formed by a seemingly impossible encounter with a neighboring cat. An initially disastrous trip to Venice turns into a madcap (and slightly murderous) adventure, and Rosa combines magic and mettle to take the reins of her extraordinary life. The wonderfully quirky tale has shades of Matilda, particularly in the outrageously villainous relatives, but the feline focus and Italian excursion give it a fantastic flavor all its own. The story’s shorter length, quick pacing, and sweet illustrations will easily appeal to younger readers, as will the whimsical peculiarities of Rosa’s world. An incredibly creative case for doing things scared and on one’s own terms.

Hilary McKay’s new novel is a Dahl-like delight for any child

Can a family of cats save a young girl still struggling to cope with life eight years after her parents died in an accident? Hilary McKay, the Costa award-winning author of The Skylarks’ War, spreads love and stardust over a magical story of adventure, friendship and courage which will break your heart and put it back together again.
Brought to glorious life by the emotive illustrations of Keith Robinson, Rosa By Starlight has an unforgettable heroine at its core… a lost soul convinced that somewhere in her bleak world is the magic and hope she craves, and discovering it in the most unexpectedly ‘feline’ place.
After years of being cared for by kind neighbours, eleven-year-old Rosa Mundi has abruptly been left in the care of a mysterious aunt and uncle and when her school closes down suddenly, she is forced to join them on a work trip to Italy. Left to fend for herself at the rundown Hotel Mancini in Venice, Rosa feels completely abandoned and it takes all her courage to stay hopeful and adventurous in the ancient city. Help arrives just when she needs it most in the shape of her neighbour’s large black cat Balthazar. But can the mysterious winding streets of the city, its feline inhabitants and an alignment of stars spark the magic Rosa longs for, and plant seeds of hope for the future?
Cat lovers will be purring with delight as McKay delivers a beautiful, Italian-themed odyssey filled with all the atmospherics you would expect from the serpentine streets of Venice, a large serving of magic and melancholy, and a wistful, waif-like heroine kept safe by a cannily clever cast of felines. An adventure that’s guaranteed to cast a spell!

Hilary McKay writes the most lyrical, magical and beautiful stories. Her latest, Rosa by Starlight, is no exception and reinforces my opinion. Hilary McKay has a magic touch. Completely with glorious illustrations by Keith Robinson this book is an absolute joy. The perfect blend of adventure and magic written with a wistful air of wonder.

Reading this intoxicating and atmospheric book feels like getting lost in the back alleys of Venice, with McKay just the right expert to guide you home.