Illus. by David Litchfield. Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406382358.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. A girl and her dog sit rather pensively on
the front cover, looking forward, seeing a newly formed rainbow
peeping through the trees. Light shines around them urging the
reader to open the book to see how the story unfolds. The title is
repeated on page one, followed by 'clouds before storm' alerting the
reader to a rhyming pattern that will entreat them, encouraging them
to read on. The dog looks forward, the girl hesitatingly looks
behind, but over the page they have a light to guide them as the
words tell the reader the 'old day is done'. By now readers will be
in tune with the direction the book is taking, that of reminding all
readers that there is darkness before morning, and that they must
look forward to a brighter day rather than hesitate in the gloom.
With mental health such an issue for adults and children alike, more
books are being published which encourage a positive attitude
amongst younger readers. This one with its double pages of luminous
colours will intrigue readers as they follow the girl's journey from
darkness to light, night to morning. The words remind us that there
are mountains to cross and journeys to take, decisions to make, and
sometimes the dark will be upsetting, with dragons to fight and
worries to overcome, there are ways to get over these fears. They
can seek out friend and pathways, journeys, maps, ropes to hold on
to, and finally a new day will dawn that is full of light and
promise. And all of this is brightly reflected in the accompanying
colour filled illustrations.
The rhyming pattern will enthral readers as they predict what the
rhyming word might be, ready to call out a rhyming word at the end
of each page, learn some of the lines to call out when the book is
read again. Read out loud or in small groups, the whole will
encourage positive attitudes, allowing children to discuss some of
their fears, and give them pathways to help themselves maintain
hope. Teacher's
notes are available.
Themes: Courage, Hope, Mental health, Depression, Friendship.
Fran Knight
Ernie's journey by David Woodland
Berbay Publishing, 2020. ISBN: 9780648785149.
(Age: 4+) Recommended. The spotlight falls on the power of
storytelling in this new book from Berbay which publishes 'clever
books for curious kids'. Woodland, a debut author uses his
considerable skills honed in the film and animation industries to
produce a story which highlights the way in which the telling of
stories can influence others. Eli loves listening to Uncle Ernie,
especially his stories about his travels and adventures. He has been
hang gliding over the Great Dismal Swamp, used a cactus mobile to
cross the Gobi Desert, skated across Antarctica and now home,
wearing his bed socks and glasses, tells his nephews and nieces
about his adventures. Eli asks him about one particular adventure,
that of helping the occyphants and so the story unfolds of how Uncle
Ernie helped them stop floating in the air with a simple change to
their diet. Eli then asks for a story he has not heard before, and
Uncle Ernie tells him about the chameleon mice. Eli then responds
telling his own story about his big adventure with a giant crab, and
when the cousins question the truthfulness of the story, Uncle Ernie
points out the two large crab claw scratches on Eli's shell.
Uncle Ernie then tells the children of the time he was in the cave
with the snakes and spiders, where all you could do was run away.
Each story focusses on a different type of adventure: helping
others, testing your endurance, being creative and knowing when to
retreat.
Uncle Ernie gives Eli his golden compass with which to go on his own
adventures, and so he does, following in Uncle Ernie's footsteps and
seeing the stories for himself.
Children will envisage a future where he now rests in his bed socks
and tells an appreciative audience of his adventures.
This delightful tale of the power of storytelling, of imagination
and creativity will be a hit read aloud to younger children. They
will delight in the unusual creatures and machines Uncle Ernie
meets, the adventures he has, the problems he solves.
The curiously understated illustrations with whiffs of Shaun Tan,
Steven Woolman and Paul O'Sullivan, are engrossing in their detail
and array of creatures which kids will love finding. I loved the
compass endpapers and the scary caves in which the snakes and
spiders lived and so will the readers.
Find out more about David Woodland and his work on the author's site.
Themes: Courage, Storytelling, Adventure, Family.
Fran Knight
Jumbo the most famous elephant who ever lived by Alexandra Stewart
Illus. by Emily Sutton. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526608581.
Highly recommended. Many, many years ago, there was an elephant
named Jumbo. His story is one that has been told thousands of times
over the years, and has lead to major changes in the realm of animal
welfare. In this book Alexandra Stewart tells us the most amazing
story about Jumbo's life and trek from the Sahara all the way to
this his final resting place in America's National History Museum.
I was really enthralled by this book and read it from front to back
as soon as I got it. I have now read it to my children, family
members and other staff at my school!
We learn about how, in the 1860s, an elephant was shipped, trained
and shipped again across the world! How his life varied in the zoo
and the circus and eventually how modern science has allowed us to
learn many new things about the magnificent Jumbo. Alexandra Stewart
also tell us about the people involved in Jumbo's life, especially
Mr Scott an extra special keeper/handler in the elephant's life.
Woven in to the pages is also information about the London Zoo, the
difference between Asian and African elephants, and the lasting
effect of his legacy in today's animal welfare and conservation
efforts.
Overall, this book is one of my favourites! The story is engaging
and full of interest at every page turn. I loved learning about
Jumbo and how he was looked after over 100 years ago.
I cannot leave this review without talking about the illustrations.
Emily Sutton has really created something special. Every page is
beautiful. Her use of watercolours with pencil outlines shows the
animals' emotions and brings them to life! I particularly love the
pages depicting the London Zoo and the final page of the elephants
in the sanctuary.
5 out of 5 for this book, especially great for the animal lover in
your life.
Lauren Fountain
Fox: A circle of life story by Isabel Thomas
Illus. by Daniel Egneus. Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526600776.
(Age: 5+). Highly recommended. Fox is a thoughtfully written
factual picture book. The story begins and ends with the reader
being encouraged to look and listen closely. There is life stirring
in the shadows. The journey of the fox searching for food to feed
her young is written in short sharp sentences e.g. 'Rabbits nibble
fresh green shoots. Then freeze. Ears stiffen. Noses twitch. Fox
creeps, then leaps.' This simple text will appeal to younger readers
but also encourage the reader to look carefully at the clever
illustrations which further enhance the meaning of the story. It is
evident that the author has studied foxes and knows their traits as
she has described the movement of the adult fox and the way her cubs
play beautifully. She has cleverly introduced the reader to the
unfamiliar word of 'gekkering' which is to make a series of
stuttering throaty vocalizations in the manner of foxes when
encountering a rival. This story though is ultimately one about the
circle of life. The adult fox dies on the road, the cubs find their
way safely back to the den and the body of the fox decomposes in the
way nature intends it to. The death of the fox is sensitively
addressed and the author is quite honest in the description of what
happens to the body. At the completion of the story are important
facts about what happens when something dies. The illustrations by
Daniel Egneus seamlessly complement the text. Fox is perfect for reading aloud in the classroom or sharing
at home. A welcome addition to both public and school libraries.
Themes: Foxes, Life Cycle, Factual picture book
Kathryn Beilby
A time for mercy by John Grisham
Hodder & Stoughton, 2020. ISBN: 9781529342338.
(Age: Senior secondary/adult) Recommended. Small town Mississippi
lawyer Jake Brigance is given a case no one else wants. Popular
Deputy Stuart Kofer has been shot and killed. It's Jake's duty to
defend an immature 16 year boy who has admitted to pulling the
trigger.
The town of Clanton in Ford County Mississippi is not large, but it
does have a sheriff with a number of deputies as well as a city
police force. Surprisingly its sheriff, Ossie Walls is black. He
like other elected officials including the judge is up for
reelection in the coming year. Mississippi in America's deep south
is church going and conservative, they have the death penalty and
many believe the gas chamber is not used often enough.
Twice divorced Kofer has been living with Josie and her two teenaged
kids for a number of months. She has a history; pregnant at 15, a
few unhappy and dysfunctional relationships, a couple of drug
convictions, some time in prison, her kids in care and a life, at
times, of living out of her car. Josie jumped at the chance of some
stability, a roof over her head and food on the table. Kofer seemed
like a great choice. But Stuart had a dark side especially when
drunk, which was becoming more frequent.
Opinion in the town, from law enforcement, the Kofer family and the
God fearing community was that who ever shot Stuart Kofer should go
to the gas chamber. Jake Brigance has been leaned on by Judge Omar
Noose to be the state appointed attorney for young Drew Gamble. He
is about to become the most unpopular guy in town.
The facts of the case seem straight forward, an open and shut case.
But as Jake gets to know Josie Gamble and her son Drew and daughter
Kiera, the sympathy he has with the family grows as does his concern
for the well being of Drew. Drew, though 16 has not yet hit puberty.
He is small thin and looks 12. After his arrest he is withdrawn and
hardly seems aware of what he has done. He is locked in the Clanton
jail, a hostile environment with no facilities for a juvenile
especially one with significant trauma. Kiera on the other hand,
though 14, is physically mature and attractive, though timid and
inhibited.
Jake Brigance has the support of the law firm and a few stalwart
friends, but there has been a loss of business and threats to his
family for his defence of Drew Gamble. He successfully gets Drew out
of jail for psychological assessment and counselling and is able to
arrange for Josie and Kiera to be cared for by one of the local
churches.
When the trial begins Jake proves to be a consummate court room
performer. He is able to use the few assets the Gamble family
situation provides with skill like a chess player and keeps facts
from the prosecution until the trial.
Grisham has written many books, many of them court room dramas, but
A Time For Mercy seems fresh, riveting and eminently
readable. Politics, the legal system, "the South", prejudice,
religion and the human condition all blend to make this novel a joy
to read.
Themes: Crime, Court room, Lawyers, Murder, Mississippi, Death
penalty.
Mark Knight
Through the night sky by Anita Ganeri
Illus. by Charlotte Pepper. Dorling Kindersley, 2020. ISBN:
9780241355459.
(Age: 8+). Highly recommended. Through The Night Sky is a
stunningly presented non-fiction book which captures many and varied
aspects of what happens in the night sky. It is described as "A
collection of amazing adventures under the stars." The striking
contents page is presented in a whimsical horizontal format across a
double page. The headings are:
1. Night flight
2. Lighting the dark
3. Seeing with stars
4. A night of flowers
5. Heavenly lights
6. The moon
7. Into darkness
8. Happy New Year
9. Signs in the stars
10. A journey to Earth
11. A visitor from above
12. Eyes to the sky
13. Our base in space
14. Seeing the Solar System
Each topic has a double page spread with simple yet informative text
and further explanations and labels when required. The book contains
a wide range of topics including historical information and relevant
and recent facts about space, technology and nature. For example
there is information on comets, the planets in our solar system,
meteor showers, eclipses, the moon, flowers at night and nocturnal
animals. The identification of the more noticeable constellations in
both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres are beautifully
illustrated and will appeal to those young budding astronomers.
There is a detailed index for a quick search of topics.
The illustrations by Charlotte Pepper seamlessly complement the text
and are quite exquisite. Photographic images add to the enjoyment of
the book.
Through The Night Sky is perfect for sharing in the classroom
or at home or browsing by an individual both young and old. It would
make a very special gift. Themes: Nocturnal Animals, Planets, Moon,
Stars, Time.
Kathryn Beilby
Dragon Mountain by Katie and Kevin Tsang
Simon & Schuster, 2020. ISBN: 9781471193071.
(Age: 8-10) Dragon Mountain is a simple but imaginative tale
that could be useful for introducing younger children to the fantasy
genre. The setting is a mountain in rural China in contemporary
times. The formula is that of young heroes who are sent on a camp by
their parents in order to develop personal strengths and correct
certain individual weaknesses. Each child bonds with a dragon that
is matched to that child's particular self. As a team which relies
on togetherness, they go on a quest to save both the world of humans
and the world of dragons. The book concludes with a cliff hanger and
if children are interested they must wait for the next book in the
series.
The human characters represent different but complementary
strengths. None are fully developed to the extent that children
could strongly relate to them but that may come with the second book
in the proposed series. The dragons who are matched to each child
have their own distinctive capacities and personalities.
The authors have been sensitive about responding to current concern
about gender and cultural representation. They have therefore
ensured that there is gender balance and also mixed cultural
representation including a bi-racial child in the cast of
characters. Because of this some young readers who may not have seen
themselves cast in a storybook role may enjoy an identification with
the characters.
Many wonderful books have been written about quests and dragons
including Carole Wilkinson's Dragon keeper series which
takes readers back to the time of the Chinese Han Dynasty and the Wings
of Fire series by Tui T. Sutherland which has attracted many
eager fans. Dragon Mountain is an action packed read with a plot that
proceeds at a cracking pace.
Suitable for 8-10 year olds.
Wendy Jeffrey
The relentless moon by Mary Robinette Kowal
Lady Astronaut book 3. Tor Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781250236968.
(Age: Adult - Senior secondary) Highly recommended. Award winning
Mary Robinette Kowal returns with another Lady Astronaut, Nicole
Wargin, in her alternate history about flight to the Moon. Following
The
calculating stars and The
fated sky, Earth is facing problems with the Space
program, with sabotage and demonstrations arguing against it. With
her husband, the Governor of Kansas, she uses her intelligence and
skills to try to keep the program going and is thrilled when she is
chosen to make another trip to the Moon colony. However, she faces
danger as things begin to go wrong and it is clear that someone from
the crew and colony on the Moon wants to disrupt life there. Will
she be able to survive and help save the program?
The story is narrated in Nicole's voice, and the reader can easily
relate to what she is feeling and thinking and get to know the other
characters that surround her. It was different to have an older
woman, in her fifties, with arthritis in her feet and a difficulty
with eating when under stress as the main character. Despite her
health difficulties her will power, skill with piloting, and sheer
intelligence for working out complex problems came across clearly.
The setting of the Moon base, the personalities of the people who
inhabit it, and the science around living on the Moon, all are
described in a credible way. Each chapter has a news story about
disasters that are happening on Earth and they add to the suspense
as the reader finds out how badly the Earth is suffering.
With a mystery to solve, some heart-wrenching moments, an alternate
history that is fascinating, codes and ciphers and a heart-warming
marriage, as well as themes of racism and feminism, The
relentless moon is a wonderful read. The conclusion was
wonderful and unexpected. And for those who are wondering about
Elma, the heroine from the first two stories, there are hints about
what happens to her.
This is a really good science fiction series, with The
calculating stars winning the Hugo Award, Nebula Award
and Locus Award in 2019. The relentless moon is as well
researched and finely written and could well be a contender for more
awards for Kowal.
Pat Pledger
A deadly education by Naomi Novik
The Scholomance, book 1. Random House, 2020. ISBN:
9781529100860.
(Age: 14+) Highly recommended. Easier to read than Uprooted
and Spinning
silver, which I loved, A deadly education is set
in the Scholomance, a school for those with magic. El is a mouthy
heroine whose magic is so strong that it could be disastrous for
everyone. And Orion Lake is a young man whose whole purpose in life
is saving people from the deadly creatures that haunt the school.
When the two clash after Orion saves her life, secrets begin to show
themselves, and El must find a way to stay alive and maybe save
others at the school.
El is a grumpy, sarcastic heroine whose asides will have readers
grinning, but at the same they will begin to relate to her as her
life story gradually unfolds. Orion Lake too is a hero who is only
appreciated for his magic powers and El is the first person who has
seen him as lonely and needing real friends. El has always been
aloof, but when the Scholomance is under threat she must find some
allies and work with Orion to help defeat the monsters.
The descriptions of the life that the pupils must endure in the
Scholomance are fascinating. Everyone needs mana (magic) to survive
and there are unique ways of obtaining it, the dark magic is malia,
and those who wield it to master spells pay for it later in life.
Novik also explores the class system that operates in the school.
There are privileged people who belong to enclaves, coming from rich
and powerful families. Those who do not have these connections
scurry around looking after them, in the hope that they will be
accepted into an enclave after graduation.
Readers who enjoyed the Harry Potter books and the Magisterium
series (Iron
trial by Holly Black and Cassandra Clare) will be happy
to move onto this series, as will those who liked Sorcery
of thornsby Margaret Rogerson.
An eye-opening cliff-hanger conclusion will ensure that anyone who
has read the first book will be eagerly waiting the next in the
series.
Pat Pledger
We are all kind by P. Crumble and Jonathon Bentley
Scholastic, 2020. ISBN: 9781760972363.
Highly recommended. "I really really really . . . LOVE this
beautiful book!" writes Magda Szubanski on the front cover and I
really really really . . . think the same thing. I read it to
my co-reviewers, a year 5 class, just to see if I was on track and
yes, they agree.
Jonathon Bentley's illustrations delight the reader on the front
cover and throughout. The smiles on the faces of the animals are
full of interest, concern and suggest a team approach.
Each double page contains a 4 line verse beginning with repetition
of "We are All KIND" with the second and fourth line rhyming. As
each page is turned the same pattern and rhythm are repeated with a
comforting poetic effect - delightful for the reader and delightful
for the child.
Softly sketched and coloured illustrations of different animals
appear on each page. The scenarios include lending a hand, the
healing power of love, mending hurts, strangers becoming friends,
hospitality, steadfastness, healing loneliness, sharing, inclusion
and forgiveness. Larger themes about mutually caring for the earth
and doing what is right as an individual in order to look after the
group are the culmination of the book.
This book is worthy of multiple re-readings. It's so full of love
and joy. I can see it as a home staple bed time story, a favourite
in the Junior School library and on every discerning grandparents'
shopping list. With values like this, presented by such an engaging
author, read by a loving adult, the lucky child will be cocooned in
kindness and motivated to do what is kind.
Wendy Jeffrey
Wreck this picture book by Keri Smith
Puffin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241449455.
(Age: 6+) Highly recommended. Subtitled How to make a
book come to life this irreverent, funny and instructive book
will be adored by its readers, seeing such a range of different
words, uses and applications attributed to a book. A book this
author says, only comes to life when it is being used. It is not
meant to live its life sitting on a shelf, but to be taken down and
used.
And the uses to which this author puts the book are fanciful and
exceedingly funny. The old rules assigned to a book involves not
throwing them, not being rough, not folding the pages etc. have put
the book under wraps as if it it were something very precious,
needing to be kept under glass. But not so. A book needs to be woken
up, shaken, stirred, dressed up, played with, touched and tasted.
The whole encourages children to do all of these things: to interact
with the book, to feel it, smell it, taste it and fold it. Each
double page shows a different use to be made of the book,
encouraging imaginative play with the book, showing in the images
just what can be done. You can wear the book, or read it upside
down, throw a party for the book, hide a secret message within its
pages, be the storm described in the book, and hug the book.
Designed to take kids out of their comfort zones regarding books,
the text and images plays with the use they usually consign to
books, encouraging them to see what else can be done, how they can
interact with a book, and widen their use of them.Wonderful
illustrations, alive with colour and imagination, different fonts
and symbols, instructions and mandates, reading like a manual and
guide book cover each page, ensuring the readers will be equally
enthralled following the tutorial of how to wreck a book.
Themes: Books, Reading, Humour.
Fran Knight
Timeline Science and Technology: A Visual History of Our World by Peter Goes
Gecko Press, 2020. ISBN: 9781776573004.
(Age: 8+) The author of two previous non-fiction books, Timeline:
A Visual History of our World and Rivers: A Visual History
from River to Sea, Peter Goes, has continued his theme with
his latest book Timeline Science and Technology. This new
addition looks at the history of inventions, discoveries and
technology that has shaped our world from the Stone Age to the
present day. This book is presented as a large format read and has
different coloured double pages marking the various periods of time
discussed. There is a paragraph synopsis explaining the time under
discussion and then a visual timeline that gives consideration to
important discoveries, inventions and events. The written
information curves around the clever and comical graphic images and
while the text is rather small and confusing to follow at times, it
presents many interesting and obscure facts. For example in the high
middle ages a curfew bell rang in the evening as a signal to put out
all hearths and fires, in order to avoid blazes in wooden buildings
and in 1974 Art Fry created the first Post-It Note using the
low-stick adhesive formulated six years earlier by his colleague.
This is a book to be shared between one or two readers or perused by
an individual. There is so much information and knowledge to be
discovered and those who love non-fiction facts throughout history
will value this very different read. Themes: Timelines, Science,
Technology, Entertainment, Medicine, Inventions, Discoveries.
Kathryn Beilby
Masquerade in Lodi by Lois McMaster Bujold
Penric and Desdemona (Publication order 9), Spectrum
Literary Agency, 2020. ASIN: B08L88PCTP.
(Age: 15+) Highly recommended. Another novella in the Penric
and
Desdemona series is always welcome and this time Bujold
takes us back to an earlier time in Penric's life. Falling between Penric's
Fox and Penric's Mission, the story takes place in
Lodi on Bastard's Eve, a time of celebration for the people living
in this canal city. Penric is hoping for time off but finds himself
called to minister to a madman who appears to have been taken over
by a wild demon. What follows is a wild chase to try and capture the
runaway man, and when this doesn't happen easily Penric asks for the
help of the saint in finding him and taking the demon out of him.
Bujold has added another city to the wonderful world that Penric and
Desdemona inhabit, and it was fun to follow Penric's adventures as
he travels across to islands, uses canals and searches the
warehouses of this water bound place. The saint too, is unexpected,
a young inexperienced girl, who is intelligent and has hidden
talents. Other characters are fully fleshed out, and some plot
twists will keep the reader wondering what will happen next.
Fans of the series will enjoy the warmth of this novella; Bujold
always manages to write a feel-good story that leaves the reader
satisfied. Those new to the series would probably enjoy them more by
starting with the first one, and reading them in chronological
order, rather than the publishing order.
Pat Pledger
Dog by Shaun Tan
Allen & Unwin, 2020. ISBN: 9781760526139.
(Age: All) Highly recommended. Dog (2020) is a reissue of a
story published in 2018 in Tales from the inner city, which
explored many vistas of city life and the relationship between the
city and its inhabitants. In this excerpt, Dog, Tan explores
the relationship between humans and dogs, showing the continuous
cycle of life and death, of rebirth and renewal, seen through the
panoply of time and place.
'Every time I see people walking their dogs at my local park, I
never cease to be heartened by the endurance and affection of this
bond, its strangeness, its apparent naturalness' (Tan, included as an
afterword in this book)
He goes on to tell stories of dogs mourning their owners' deaths,
one waiting patiently at a railway station for nine years,
underlining the bond that exists between people and their dogs.
Over millennia, dogs have been brave, loyal, trusted companions, and
Tan shows this in his glorious images produced with thickly applied
oil paint, covering each double page.
In the beginning a person and a dog see each other across the way
and walk together side by side. Tan shows the pair walking across
the yellow sun lit pages, a stunning contrast to the pages which
follow: black, greys and dark blues showing a death, separation and
a decline in the relationship between human and dog. Following,
Tan's half dozen or so pages uncover the progress of history. In
great luminous spreads of colour, Tan reveals a range of historical
eras, fires, ice ages, the advent of agriculture, the industrial
revolution, the rise of the railway and roads, the last unveiling a
look passing between a dog and a woman on the other side of the
road. They come together, appropriately on a zebra crossing, and
walk on as if they have never been apart. In this way the pair seem
destined to walk together for millennia to come, a natural place for
both to be, a stunningly positive note on which to end.
Tan's images are stunning, with hints of Jeffrey Smart adding to
their realistic portrayal of our surrounds. The swathes of colour
across each page recall journeys, roads, destinations, pilgrimages,
bridges, rail lines, as the person hunts, fishes, toils in the
field, fights in a war.
Children will pore over the images, reading the sparse prose for
greater elucidation, developing their understandings of how an
exceptional artist works.
Themes: Understanding, Dogs, History.
Fran Knight
The Tower of Nero by Rick Riordan
The Trials of Apollo. Penguin Random House, 2020. ISBN:
9780141364087.
(Age: 11+) Recommended. In a return to Percy Jackson's world, Apollo
- in his human form as teen, Lester Papadopoulos - must go into the
final battle against the opposition of Nero and his extreme power,
to enable Apollo to return to Mount Olympus. The fight is also
against every awful and mythological enemy that has come under the
power of the last emperor Nero. Meg is at his side and she is trying
to overcome her history as Nero's adopted daughter while being
Lester's 'Master' in the fight. The engagement of oracles,
underground troglodytes and other demi-gods all work together to
assist Lester (Apollo) to finally face the worst of the conflicts,
but there is wounding, fear and the possibility that Apollo may lose
his challenge and be trapped in human form without the opportunity
to return to his godly form . . . and does he even want to give up
his humanity?
In the world of Greek Mythology and the Percy Jackson
series, this is a concluding story in the Trials of Apollo.
Although it would best be read after the preceding four episodes of
the trials, it is not impossible to read without prior knowledge.
Fortunately, there is a glossary to explain all the mythology
terminology and creatures. Rick Riordan has been able to introduce
young readers to ancient mythology through his exciting quest and
battle scenarios and they love the 'fantasy' elements and the
adrenaline-charged action. With Haiku to foreshadow each chapter and
fast-paced writing, there are no dull moments. Needing some maturity
to deal with the aggressive combat within the myths of ancient
worlds, this is best suited to readers aged 11+. But they will love
the action! Themes: Mythology; Action/Adventure.
Carolyn Hull
