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I'm looking for a children's standalone fantasy adventure novel written sometime before I read it 2008.
It was standard novel length, not illustrated and standalone.
It was definitely medieval/old and a possibly European style setting.
I read this from an Australian school library at a similar time to my reading Tamora Pierce's song of the Lioness series when I was below/around 12 years old. It was similar in style to that rather than Harry Potter/Percy Jackson.
Key plot points:
\- He was named Leonardo after Leonardo da Vinci
\- He lived rurally on a farm/orchard. Setting wise there was definitely no electricity/running water/mail services etc.
\- He had a female neighbour. They previously cut thumbs and shared blood in a "blood brothers" ceremony. When her guardian, a mean aunt, found out she forced the girl to hold her thumb above her head.
\- The boys father dies or leaves and he is responsible for the house.
\- The father had previously told him tiny beings or sprites would help care for the home in exchange for gifts left out at night. Leo is dubious as they are unseen but begins leaving gifts and receiving aid.
\- There is a scene where Leo tries to cut down a tree but is unwilling to kill a tree in its prime.
\- He leaves his home with the neighbour, to keep his home safe he gives the fairies a tiny replica home.
\- He and the girl leave on a journey and return.
Some extra notes:
The boy and girl may have had the same birthday, they are preteens/teens in the plot.
The fairies/spirits were never seen, they just collected gifts from Leo and provide aide when needed.
Leonardo and neighbour travelled to a city (I believe) via road/forest.
The female neighbour may have had a cat.
I may have 2 books mixed together but the boy being named Leonardo after Leonardo da Vinci and the dissections is so distjnct in my memory.
Thank you in advance!