The Nightkeeper's Apprentice

Jude Reid

Price:
£4.99
Availability:
Not yet published - due 17 Mar 2026

Quick Look

  • The debut children's novel from Jude Reid, winner of the 2020 Kelpies Prize for Writing
  • A magical middle-grade mystery that takes place on a remote Scottish island, set against the backdrop of the Second World War
  • Eilidh must unpick family secrets, and investigate the mysteries surrounding the island's lighthouse, to discover if she has what it takes to become a Nightkeeper's Apprentice
  • Inspired by the wild places and magical folklore of Scotland
  • For young readers aged 10+

When Eilidh is evacuated to Orkney during World War II, she plunges into a ghostly world of family secrets, dark magic and a mysterious lighthouse. An enchanting, lyrical upper middle-grade debut novel from Kelpies Prize winner Jude Reid.

Publisher:
Floris Books
Subject:
Kelpies
Age Range:
From 10 to 14 years
Extent:
224 pages
ISBN:
9781782509981
Publication date:
17 Mar 2026
Series:
Kelpies

Description

When Second World War bombs start falling, twelve-year-old Eilidh Flett is evacuated to a place she’s never heard of, to live with family she’s never met. Stuck on a remote Orkney island, Eilidh’s aunt gives her just two rules: don’t touch anything that washes up on the shore, and never ever enter the island’s lighthouse.

But this seemingly dull island is full of surprises. With the help of a ghostly new friend, Eilidh begins to unravel the lighthouse’s mysteries: long-kept family secrets, a hidden order of Nightkeepers, and a darkly dangerous magic that could change the world as she knows it.

Does Eilidh have what it takes to become a Nightkeeper’s Apprentice?

This enthralling upper middle grade mystery explores destiny, loss and hope. Jude Reid’s lyrical debut children’s novel is inspired by the wild places and magical folklore of Scotland.

Author

Jude Reid is an author from Glasgow, Scotland. She finds time to write for adults and children in the narrow gaps between full-time work as a surgeon, wrangling her own kids and trying to tire out her border collie. Jude won the 2020 Kelpies Prize for Writing and developed The Nightkeeper's Apprentice, her debut children's novel, as part of the Kelpies Prize mentorship.

Just feel like browsing?

Browse our catalogues

Interested in an author?

Discover authors