The Girl Who Became A Tree

Shortlisted for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2021 - a powerful and mesmerising exploration of grief and renewal by the new Waterstones Children's Laureate

The Girl Who Became a Tree sees Joseph Coelho deploy a wide variety of poetic forms with consummate skill to seamlessly but
searingly weave together the ancient legend of Daphne, who was turned into a tree to avoid the attentions of the god Apollo, and a
totally modern tale, mixing real-life and fantasy, in which a latter-day Daphne seeks her own freedom.

This a heart-stoppingly imaginative story told in poems, at times bleak and even tragic, which is layered, rich and ultimately a tour de force of poetic skill
and energy.

"The judges found this to be a stunning exploration of grief, anger and isolation. The intertwining of the myth of Daphne with a modern narrative strengthens the depth of the story and results in an immersive read with a lasting impact." - Carnegie Medal judging panel

"...it plays with form and setting in a way that invites young readers in, asserting the myth’s perpetual relevance." Times Literary Supplement

"A highly readable, imaginative tale with a positive message. Coelho's poems are succinct, thought-provoking and original." - The Independent 10 Best Kids' Poetry Books