What This Book Is About
Oscar Dunleavy was the kind of boy who made the world brighter simply by being in it. He baked apple tarts for his neighbors, listened when no one else would, and had a quiet gift for making people feel seen. Then, one day, Oscar disappears. Everyone assumes the worst—that he jumped off the pier into the dark Irish sea. Everyone, that is, except Meg, his best friend and next-door neighbor, who refuses to believe Oscar is gone.
Told in alternating voices—Meg's fierce determination to find the truth, and Oscar's own account of what really happened—The Apple Tart of Hope is a luminous novel about depression, friendship, and the small acts of kindness that can save a life. Sarah Moore Fitzgerald writes with the lyrical precision of a poet, crafting sentences that are simple on the surface but carry enormous emotional weight. At just 176 pages, it is one of those rare books that feels both feather-light and deeply profound, the kind of story you finish in an afternoon and think about for months.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why UWC Chose This Book
The Apple Tart of Hope addresses mental health and depression with sensitivity and without stigma—a critically important topic for adolescents. UWC recognizes that emotional wellbeing is as important as academic achievement, and this novel gives students a safe, literary space to explore feelings of sadness, isolation, and the fear of losing someone they care about.
The novel's central message—that small acts of kindness (like baking a tart for a neighbor) can have life-changing impact—aligns perfectly with UWC's service-oriented ethos. It teaches students that you don't need grand gestures to make a difference; sometimes, just showing up and paying attention is enough.
Reading Level Guide
Accessible at strong A2. The short length (176 pages) and lyrical prose make it manageable.
Perfect difficulty. The emotional nuance rewards thoughtful reading.
A beautiful, quick read at B2. Consider Ghost Boys or The Blackbird Girls for more complexity.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
Not sure if this book is right for your child? Take our free 30-minute English assessment to find their CEFR level, then choose books that match.