The Last House in the Row - by Lesley Parr (Paperback)

About the Book

Hayley discovers the importance of giving people a chance in this thought-provoking tale from critically acclaimed author Lesley Parr.

Book Synopsis

(Dyslexia-friendly) Hayley discovers the importance of giving people a chance in this thought-provoking tale from critically acclaimed author Lesley Parr. Hayley is furious that her beloved cat, Judy Garland, keeps sneaking off to the garden of the weird old lady across the street. Lillian, or Boo, as Hayley calls her, hasn't left her house for years, not since the council came up with their plan to knock down the row of houses to make way for a new development. Everyone in the street dismisses Lillian as an eccentric old woman, but when Hayley is forced to get to know her, an unlikely bond develops between them and Hayley learns the real reason behind Lillian's reluctance to move. But when a misunderstanding threatens their friendship, Hayley must use all of her ingenuity to repair it. Particularly suitable for readers aged 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Review Quotes

"Deftly written, with not a word out of place, as with all of Parr's fantastic novels." - The Bookseller Children's Previews

"A tender, moving story that really touches the heart. Absolutely beautiful." -- Eloise Williams

"Lesley Parr's family and small community settings always have such a timeless, classic feel. I loved the relationship that grows between feisty Hayley and her elderly neighbour ... an accessible and appealing story of mutual understanding and kindness between generations." -- Hilary McKay

"Told with equal amounts of humour and heart, this wonderful story of unexpected understanding and new-found friendship leaves the reader glowing and grinning inside. A perfectly polished gem of a story and feel-good hit." -- Keith Gray

"The Last House in the Row is a moving and compelling story of the unlikely friendship that grows between an elderly woman and a young girl when they discover that they have more in common than they thought ... This is a story that will stay with you." -- Helen Peters

"A beautifully told story that explores the power of genuine, cross-generational friendship. It is both tender and moving." -- Jenny Pearson

"A perfect slice of Lesley Parr brilliance. She's managed to condense a huge depth of emotion into just a few perfectly-formed chapters. I loved discovering how Hayley and Lillian's unlikely seeming friendship evolved into a deep connection of warmth, respect and kindness." -- Tom Percival

"This lesson in acceptance, prejudice and suchlike is a small marvel, and ultimately quite the tearjerker." - NetGalley review

"A slim book with a story that pulls on all the heartstrings ... The inter-generational friendship at the heart is beautifully observed and Lesley shows the incredible versatility of her writing, fitting perfectly into the Barrington Stoke style ... a gorgeous story which brought a few tears and a bit of a punch in the air." - NetGalley review

About the Author

Lesley Parr is a former primary school teacher and bestselling author. Her debut book, The Valley of Lost Secrets, was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal and shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award, amongst others. Lesley's books have won the Tir na n-Og Award (2022, 2024), Wales Children's Book of the Year (2023) and were twice shortlisted for the UKLA Book Award. All four of her novels so far have received CILIP Carnegie Medal nominations. Raised in a South Wales steel town, Lesley now lives in England with her husband and rescue cat, Ramsay.