{"product_id":"satchels-and-second-chances-a-brand-new-charming-1950s-yorkshire-historical-novel-of-community-and-romance-from-beloved-storyteller-gervase-phinn-for-2026","title":"Satchels and Second Chances: A BRAND NEW charming 1950s Yorkshire historical novel of community and romance from beloved storyteller Gervase Phinn for 2026","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe next BRAND NEW nostalgic, feel-good novel from \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e bestselling author Gervase Phinn.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Gervase Phinn has a unique understanding of children and a glorious sense of humour which make his books much loved best sellers. I'm a huge fan.' \u003cem\u003eEsther Rantzen\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYorkshire, 1956.\u003c\/strong\u003e When Helen Mercer takes on the role of head teacher at Brightbrook Junior School, she is met with peeling paint, broken promises from the local authority, and a building that resembles a Victorian workhouse. But behind the dreary exterior are children who desperately need a champion - and Helen is determined to transform the school and the lives of her pupils.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAmong them are Terry, a boy scarred by a brutal home life who finds peace in his love for pigeons; Rupert, a gifted but arrogant ten-year-old masking a desperate need for affection; and Lucy, a bright girl struggling with a baffling case of elective mutism.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Helen and her staff battle daily challenges at work, her personal life takes a hopeful turn through her unexpected romance with the head teacher of a neighbouring school. However, Helen's hard-won peace is soon tested by the reappearance of a ghost from her past and a devastating bombshell from the Director of Education that Brightbrook is slated for permanent closure...\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA poignant, heartwarming and often funny nostalgic story about the transformative power of education, resilience and community.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise for Gervase Phinn:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A worthy successor to James Herriott, and every bit as \u003cstrong\u003eendearing\u003c\/strong\u003e' \u003cem\u003eAlan Titchmarsh\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003cstrong\u003eHilarious\u003c\/strong\u003e and hair-raising' \u003cem\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003cstrong\u003eColourful, funny and honest\u003c\/strong\u003e' \u003cem\u003eSunday Express\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003cstrong\u003eA natural storyteller\u003c\/strong\u003e' \u003cem\u003eThe Times Educational Supplement\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Gervase Phinn's memoirs have made him \u003cstrong\u003ea hero in school staff-rooms\u003c\/strong\u003e' \u003cem\u003eDaily Telegraph\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'He has a \u003cstrong\u003emarvellous\u003c\/strong\u003e ear for one-liners' \u003cem\u003eYorkshire Post\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003cstrong\u003eA born raconteur\u003c\/strong\u003e' \u003cem\u003eGuardian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003cstrong\u003eUproarious and touching\u003c\/strong\u003e by turns' \u003cem\u003eDaily Mail\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'\u003cstrong\u003eEnchanting\u003c\/strong\u003e' \u003cem\u003eWomen's Own\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardback | 280 pages | Published October 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"GARDNERS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":66055085949196,"sku":"9781836786559","price":22.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0978\/3459\/8749\/files\/9781836786559.jpg?v=1793502642","url":"https:\/\/www.thebookmark.ie\/products\/satchels-and-second-chances-a-brand-new-charming-1950s-yorkshire-historical-novel-of-community-and-romance-from-beloved-storyteller-gervase-phinn-for-2026","provider":"The Bookmark ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}