The Lost Child of Chernobyl

A moving verse novel inspired by the real events surrounding the Chernobyl nuclear disaster.

Written by award-winning children’s author and poet Helen Bate.

When the Chernobyl nuclear reactor explodes, families are forced to flee their homes with little warning, leaving behind everything they know. Among the chaos and confusion, children are evacuated, separated from their parents, and sent far away from the danger — not knowing if they will ever return.

Years later, memories of loss and displacement linger as the story traces the emotional aftermath of the disaster through the eyes of those affected. The novel explores how a single event can shape a childhood, fracture families, and leave lasting scars that stretch far beyond the immediate tragedy.

Told in powerful, spare verse, The Lost Child of Chernobyl is a haunting exploration of identity, belonging and survival, giving voice to the often unheard experiences of children caught up in one of the world’s most devastating nuclear accidents.

“A beautifully written and deeply affecting novel in verse.” — The Guardian