The evening and the morning: the prequel to The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
ISBN: 9781447278788.
Macmillan, 2020. IBSN: 9781447278788.
(Age: Secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. Follett has set his
prequel in Anglo-Saxon England in the years from 997 to 1007. It is
a turbulent time for all the population, but even more so for the
peasants and slaves. Vikings raid seemingly at will, sacking and
burning villages, slaughtering, raping and taking the young as
slaves. England has a king but his rule is dependent on the major
landholders and the church to support and enforce his rule.
The saga revolves around Edgar the son of a boat builder whose life
changes after Viking raiders kill his father and the woman he was in
love with. His mother and two older brothers are left without any
means to earn a living, but are offered the chance to farm a small
plot at Deng's Ferry. They have little option but to try and eke out
a living from the poor soil and lack of any livestock. Luckily
Edgar's mother Mildred, is a canny hardworking woman who keeps the
family together despite the hardships.
The Lady Ragnhild, daughter of Count Hubert of Cherbourg in
Normandy, is another main character whose story runs parallel with
Edgar's. She encounters Wilwulf, earldorman of Shiring in Cherbourg
when he comes to bargain with the Count about the Vikings who used
the port as an easy staging post to raid across the channel. She is
attracted by this large confident Englishman and he finds the young
beautiful Ragna very distracting indeed. After hearing nothing for a
month or two his brother bishop Wynstan arrives to ask for her hand
in marriage on behalf of Wilwulf.
Ragna travels to England, and after an awful sea crossing and
uncomfortable journey to Shiring she marries and finds that life is
very different in England. She cannot converse in Anglo-Saxon and
her new family speak little French. There is also a power struggle,
she must find ways of diluting the power of her step mother-in-law
and her sons Wynstan and Wiglem. This is especially important when
Wilwulf is away during Viking raids. Who rules in his stead?
Edgar meanwhile has been busy. He is an intelligent problem solver
who is a skilled craftsman. He has made a far more useful ferry at
the river crossing to replace the log canoe, built a brew house from
stone to lessen the chance of it burning down and has ideas for a
bridge, has made repairs to the run down church and has ideas to
make the transport of goods to Deng's Ferry much more efficient as
well as providing extra income for the family farm.
Both Ragna and Edgar are seen by those who hold power as trouble
makers and there is much scheming to deny their hopes for the
future. When Wilwulf dies Ragna's position and that of her children
is in peril. Edgar sees his future in Normandy learning the
stonemason's craft. That the two main characters come back together
is a given , but as to the how and the tribulations they endure I
shall leave to the reader.
Follett's prequel is a weighty tome of 817 pages, but it is a page
turner. The insight into the Dark Ages in Anglo Saxon times, the
roles of Church, King, nobles and peasants is fascinating. It is a
harsh time when life after death was seen by many as more important
than the existence in the present no matter how unfair or brutal.
The relationship between Edgar and Ragna is rather hard to accept at
such a time, when difference in social class was huge and romantic
love would have been almost unheard of. However those who have
enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth will eagerly devour this
addition to the saga.
Theme: AngloSaxon England, Historical novel, Vikings, Power
struggle, Medieval times, Stonemasons.
Mark Knight
Puffin book of big dreams - stories to spark your imagination
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241438206. 409p.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. A week-long festival surrounded the
launch of this book in the UK to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Puffin in
publishing. In June 2020, #PuffinDreamer invited the faithful to
live-streamed author readings and writing activities on social
media.
Puffin's hardback tome compiles excerpts about dreams or aspirations
from the most lauded books published since 1940, under the little
bird's brand. Many short stories, reflections and poems by
contemporary writers and children, link the anthology to the present
and the future. Allegories like, King of the World by
Charlie Higson and Doris the Chicken who Saved the World
written and illustrated by Mini Grey, bolster dreams beyond personal
ambition and reference popular culture to envisage a better world. Ballet Shoes and The Borrowers represent some of the
timeless classics, and we are delighted anew with the
anthropomorphism of Charlotte's Web and the Sheep-Pig.
Our imaginations continue to soar with the BFG and Truckers
and we remain touched by the profundity of Stig (of the
Dump) or Wonder by R.J. Palacio.
Puffin's prophets are assembled in a mighty tribute, not only as a
legacy but to show tomorrow's children the importance of reading,
writing and dreaming, to enrich our lives. The piece most indicative
of the spirit of this important sampler of children's literature is
The A-Z of Amazing. Rashmi Sirdeshpande shows kids and adults
alike, how a life must be lived to the full in this succinct primer.
Undoubtedly, a life without Puffin's books would be a very poor life
indeed.
Dreamers are too many to mention but anticipate: Helen Oxenbury,
Roald Dahl, Dick King-Smith, Patricia Forde, Sam Copeland, Clive
King, Jill Murphy, Michael Morporgo, Nazneen Ahmed, Raymond Briggs
and dozens of the A-list authors and illustrators signed by Puffin.
Puffin also acknowledges the social context when selecting, so it's
not surprising to sample quotes and motivational pieces from
brilliant leaders, scientists and actors.
Thank you all at Puffin for 80 years of big dreams, or seeds of
dreams and perhaps the impetus for achieving our own legacies and a
better world. Keep handy, it's bound to help the patron deciding
'who' to read next, or a captive class with only a few minutes for
literature appreciation. And to celebrate the 80th anniversary of
Puffin, throughout the month of September 2020, you'll be able to
score your very own Puffin water bottle for FREE! All you have to do
is visit your local bookstore and purchase two Puffin books of your
choice to receive your water bottle - at participating bookstores
while stocks last.
Deborah Robins
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Penguin, 2019. ISBN: 9780141338484. Board book.
(Age: 0-5) Highly recommended. This big board book of a favourite
that has stood the test of years will delight another generation of
children. First published in 1969, The Very Hungry Caterpillar
has delighted children and adults over the years and having it in a
sturdy, hard wearing large format will make it even more attractive
for the very young child.
The very hungry caterpillar starts out as a tiny little egg on a
leaf. Then the sun comes up and out pops a tiny and very hungry
caterpillar who proceeds to munch through different fruits for each
day of the week. On Saturday he eats through so many inappropriate
foods that he has a stomach-ache and then must eat a lovely green
leaf to recover. Ultimately, he makes a cocoon for himself before he
turns into a beautiful butterfly.
My 11-month-old grandson loves this book and is happy to hear it
again and again. The holes that the little caterpillar makes
intrigue him and he enjoys putting his fingers in them while looking
at the bright pictures. The eyes on the caterpillar are another
feature that fascinate, and he likes that the board pages are strong
enough for him to turn over himself. And of course there is a lot of
subtle learning going on as the caterpillar eats: the names of days
of the week, the names of different pieces of fruit, their colours
and counting up to five, as well as a warning that overeating can
give you a stomach ache. And of course, there is the whole life
cycle of the butterfly, leading to lots of investigation of
caterpillars especially in Spring when they are often in the garden.
A perfect gift for a new baby and a wonderful book to have in any
library. There are others in the hungry caterpillar series, too
including: Where
is the very hungry caterpillar?, The
very hungry caterpillar's hide and seek, and The
very hungry caterpillar's birthday party. And to
celebrate the 80th anniversary of Puffin, throughout the month of
September 2020, you'll be able to score your very own Puffin water
bottle for FREE! All you have to do is visit your local bookstore
and purchase two Puffin books of your choice to receive your water
bottle - at participating bookstores while stocks last.
Pat Pledger
A long petal of the sea by Isobel Allende
Bloomsbury, 2020. ISBN: 9781526615909.
(Age: Senior secondary/adult) Highly recommended. In the late
1930's, Civil War rages in Spain, Franco's forces push the remnants
of the opposition back to Catalonia, and Victor Dalmau, a Republican
army doctor marries his brother's lover, Roser, so that they can
both leave Spain for Chile. A ship, SS Winnipeg has been
organised by Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda, for 2200 refugees to leave
the detention camps hastily assembled by the French to accommodate
the Spanish refugees, and Victor, knowing his brother is dead and
wanting to save the life of his almost sister in law and her unborn
child, marries her to board the ship. War is about to be declared as
Franco and Hitler work together in defeating the spent Republican
army.
Against the background of war, of stinking hospitals and dead and
dying young men, Allende builds her story of a family surviving
through the carnage, detention camps, life on board the Winnipeg
then settling in Chile with its own problems, leading to the
overthrow of President Allende in 1974. Victor has links to the
poet, who organised the Winnipeg and these links continue
after arriving in Chile, and through his life we see the problems of
the country laid before us. He is friendly with a large group of
people, some supporting Allende, a popularly elected president, with
whom Victor plays chess, as well as businessmen and financiers
supporting the wealthy who do not want a socialist government. The
political intriguing behind the scenes is explained through the
family, making it so much more accessible without the formality of a
textbook.
Allende's introduction shows why she wrote the story, meeting Victor
as an older man in Venezuela, the place he goes to after getting out
of a concentration camp in Chile, sent there after the military coup
because of his links to Allende.
Isobel Allende's father was a cousin to President Allende, killed
after a right wing coup in 1973, officially by his own hand, and so
she and her family had to flee Chile, relocating to Venezuela. Her
story of Victor is a heady mixture of fact and fiction, resulting in
an entertaining, informative and highly readable historical novel,
one which will have readers heading to the internet to satisfy their
curiosities.
Despite the pragmatic beginning to their marriage, love between
Victor and Roser develops, and their relationship gathers strength
after the coup placing Pinochet as president. A family saga covering
three generations and set against the Spanish Civil War, World War
Two, the flight to Chile by Spanish refugees, then the eight wing
coup, the story leads us to the present day as the pair grapples
with old age as their country starts anew.
Theme: Civil war, Spain, Chile, Franco, Allende, Pinochet, Detention
camps, Concentration camps, Refugees, SS Winnipeg.
Fran Knight
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Puffin, 2016. ISBN: 9780141365428. 224pp., pbk.
When Sophie is woken by a silver moonbeam shining through a crack in
the curtains, and, against the rules of the orphanage in which she
lives, she gets out of bed to close the curtain she has no idea that
her life is about to take her on the most amazing adventure and be
changed forever.
For as she peeks out she sees a most amazing sight . . . coming up
the other side of the street was something black. Something tall and
black. Something very tall and very black and very thin.
It is nearly 40 years since I first picked up this book by Roald
Dahl, creator of classic characters like Willy Wonka and Miss
Truncbull and as I read the first few pages, I could hear myself
sharing the story with my students. All these years on and countless
students have met the iconic big, friendly giant as it has been my
go-to book in so many situations. Share the passage of his
description, get the children to identify the keywords and then
interpret these in drawing and discuss why each child's work is
different even though they started with the same information. Drop
coloured dye onto paper towelling, write your dream on it, put it in
a jar and open it on the last day of school to see if you still have
the same dreams . . .
Using his gift for language that remains with us and his irreverence
for adults, Dahl delights children with his tales and it is time now
for the next generation to become fans, just as those who have met
him previously have done.
So, on this Roald
Dahl Day 2020 introduce your students to one of the world's
greatest storytellers and let the fun begin.
Barbara Braxton
The reckless afterlife of Harriet Stoker by Lauren James
Walker Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781406391121.
(Age: 14+) Recommended. What a unique ride! There are ghosts with
strong powers surviving the afterlife in a desolate building and
then there is Harriet Stoker a newly formed ghost, determined to
return home to her grandmother, no matter the cost to everyone
around her. Chaos reigns as she exploits the little group of friends
who have made a family for themselves in the afterlife. There is
Rima, with her fox spirit Cody, Felix who is in love with the
oblivious Kasper, and Leah and her baby Claudia, all who have bonded
together. They are willing to accept Harriet into their group and
help her adjust to the afterlife, but Harriet has no qualms about
pursuing everyone's powers and making them her own.
The plot has many twists and turns and keeps the reader engrossed,
trying to work out just what is going on and whether Harriet will
destroy many of the ghosts in the building. There are clues left for
the observant reader, but many, many surprises as Harriet ploughs
through the spirits in the building, not caring who she hurts on the
way.
Told in multiple voices of Harriet and the group of friends, with
the addition of an unidentified narrator, this clever and compulsive
story richly describes each of the individuals and gives insight
into their personalities, strengths and weaknesses and the life they
lead. Although Harriet is flawed, the reader can identify with the
way that her grandmother has brought her up, emphasising a selfish
outlook on life, and even when appalled at her actions can still
feel some sympathy for her. The relationship between Felix and
Kasper is beautifully handled and even baby Claudia is a stunning
character.
This is a ghost story like no other I have read. James has the
capacity to write engrossing stories that beg to be read in a couple
of sittings, while at the same time examining some thought provoking
themes. In this novel she looks at good versus evil and the ethics
of an individual selfishly using other people and their powers, and
whether individuals are accountable for their own actions or can
blame how they are brought up and the power of fear.
An original ghost story, this thriller is sure to appeal to fans of
the supernatural genre.
Pat Pledger
The Silver Arrow by Lev Grossman
Bloomsbury Children's Books, 2020. ISBN: 9781526629418.
(Age: 9+) Highly recommended. Eleven year old Kate and her younger
brother Tom embark on a remarkable adventure in a magical steam
train aptly named The Silver Arrow. In Kate's mind her life so far
is mundane and boring as her parents are busy with work and she
feels it is time for something interesting to happen so she contacts
her wealthy Uncle Herbert and asks for a present. Uncle Herbert
delivers a steam train much to the horror of Kate and Tom's sensible
parents and they are forbidden to climb on it. However as children
do, they ignore their parents and are whisked away for the adventure
of a life time. Along the journey they collect an assortment of
talking animals who are waiting patiently at train stations in a
variety of continually changing landscapes and environments. The
steam train is their teacher while they are on the journey and
encourages the children to solve each problem thoughtfully as it
arises, as well as managing the roles of the driver, conductor and
carrying out maintenance on the train. Both Kate and Tom show
surprising resilience and perseverance to overcome some challenging
situations and they learn to work as a team. The animals befriended
by Kate and Tom finally admit that they are running away from humans
who have destroyed their habitats and they are on the brink of
extinction. The children form a close bond with the animals and grow
to understand how dangerous the human world is for them.
This is the first children's novel written by author Lev Grossman
who is well known for his Magician's trilogy. In The
Silver Arrow he has created a wonderful world of magic and
fantasy where animals have an opinion and are listened to, where two
young siblings overcome dangerous situations and learn to be kind to
each other, as well as realising the adult world is fraught with
complications. An exciting and action-packed read which young
readers who love to escape into imaginary worlds will appreciate and
enjoy. Themes: Adventure, Magic, Endangered Animals, Steam Trains,
Siblings, Fantasy.
Kathryn Beilby
The abstainer by Ian McGuire
Simon and Schuster, 2020. ISBN: 9781471163609.
(Age: Senior secondary/Adult) Highly recommended. In 1867, three
members of the Fenian Brotherhood were hanged in Manchester for the
murder of a policeman. McGuire imagines a story of revenge flowing
from this event as an Irish American man with a heart set on
retribution is brought to Manchester fresh from the bloody Civil War
that had engulfed the USA in previous years. He must keep himself
well hidden, knowing the local police have a network of informers.
Within a day of his landing he has killed three of these men,
sending a brutal message to others who may be tempted to help the
police.
Constable James O'Connor, brought over from Dublin to help the
Manchester Police find this man, is under suspicion from the start:
his accent, his sympathy with the Irish cause, his recent history
with his superiors, all contrive against him. His dead wife and
child form a cross he carries and and he must fight his need to
resort to drink.
The paths of Doyle and O'Connor are destined to cross as one seeks
mayhem and the other justice for his dead informer.
McGuire captures the atmosphere within the city of Manchester with
impressive detail. Poverty is ever present as O'Connor walks the
streets, visits people in their slum accommodation, talks to his
superiors, all the while noting the vast difference between Irish
and English with detail about food, housing and access to work.
We meet all sorts in McGuire's Victorian Manchester from the pimps
to the well healed, the prostitutes and drunks who inhabit the pubs,
the informers, corrupt police, and those who want the case to be
wrapped up quickly, so putting O'Connor at odds with his own
organisation. After the hasty hangings at the beginning of the
novel, sympathy lies with the Fenians struggling to free Ireland
from the British overlordship but their methods alienate O'Connor
and the reader. Both men struggle with the burden of their pasts,
and their contest makes for involving reading. Themes: Crime,
Manchester (UK), Fenian Society, Revenge.
Fran Knight
Cursed by Thomas Wheeler
Penguin Random House UK, 2020. ISBN: 9780241376621.
(Ages: 13+ or Yr 9+) In this Arthurian legend retold, women play
more of a part in the story, with strong female characters
supporting the female lead. Following outcast Nimue, Fey born though
cursed by The Hidden, this adventure filled fantasy begins when
Nimue's entire village is slaughtered. Before passing, her mother
charges Nimue to get the Sword of Power to Merlin, but on the way
Nimue discovers her own power and joins forces with other outcast
Fey. Now working to protect those who made her an outcast, Nimue
must find a way for them to survive. With royalty, religious groups
and Fey kind coveting the Sword of Power, Nimue has an arduous
journey ahead of her.
Now available as a series on Netflix, Cursed is a dark (and
loose) retelling of the traditional Arthur stories, with plenty of
battles and action. Having read the book, I am curious how the
TV-show adaptation might be in comparison - I expect it would be
just as epically violent and bloodthirsty (which means I might not
watch it!). Littered with illustrations throughout, the book has
more female characters than I've ever heard of in an Arthur legend,
which is a nice addition. As is the potential for a legendary QUEEN
(back cover), in place of the traditional legendary king. Along with
the renowned Merlin, Arthur makes his appearance, but the story
focuses on Nimue, her quest and the battle for the Sword of Power.
Themes: Folklore, Myths and legends, Vengeance, Refugees, Unifying
groups, Girl power.
Melanie Phillips
The World of Roald Dahl by Roald Dahl
Penguin, 2020. ISBN: 9780241447970.
Highly recommended. The World of Roald Dahl is a fabulous
book for anyone who thinks that Roald Dahl's books are wonderful
(and who doesn't!) and also those who love activity books.
This book is 95 pages of laughter, interesting facts, amazing
illustrations, and anything else you could imagine to be written
about Roald Dahl. There are fascinating pieces of information such
as how he only wrote on yellow lines paper and hated beards! And
even a section dedicated to teaching readers how to be a storyteller
just like Roald.
I also enjoyed reading about Quentin Blake, the illustrator who at
almost 90 is still illustrating the new editions and writing his own
books. His pictures are on every page and that makes this book
unapologetically all about Roald Dahl and his famous style.
The book has pages where readers can add in their own information;
such as what they would do if they had their own giant peach,
tallying up how many books they had read, make their way through a
maze and using a special code to make up their very own Wonka style
chocolate bar.
On top of all of that there is a delicious sounding chocolate cake
recipe and a 30-question long Roald Dahl quiz. This book really has
it all and covers so many of his wonderful books, characters and
curious facts that go along with it.
This is a really great addition to any library, or as a gift, as
Roald Dahl is one of those authors that seems to have the ability to
reach out to so many children at so many stages of their reading. He
is funny, quirky, and a pleasure to read about.
4.5 out of 5.
Lauren Fountain
The world's worst parents by David Williams
Illus. by Tony Ross. HarperCollins, 2020. ISBN: 9780008430306.
(Age: 6-10) Highly recommended. The plot of this book is all about
introducing you to terrible parents who are either embarrassing or
mean to their children.
My favourite character is: Terry Tech, because when he sees queues,
even queues of only one person, which isn't really a queue until you
join it, it is so funny.
My opinion/rating out of 5: I'd say 5/5.
I liked this book because: The parents are sooo funny.
My favourite part of the book was: When Miss Tutelage kicked Mr.
Slab into the air and he landed in the bin.
I would recommend this book to: anyone between 6-10.
Adella, aged 8 years
Knowledge Encyclopaedia: Ocean! by DK
DK., 2020. ISBN: 9780241412886.
(Age: 7+) Highly recommended. Knowledge Encyclopaedia: Ocean!
is a really great resource for students to have access to, as it
covers a variety of topics surrounding oceans. It is split into 7
sections encompassing Ocean science (How oceans are formed, ocean
life evolution and tides), Open ocean (food chains, jellyfish and
the various ocean zones), Shallow seas (animals from the sunlit
areas), Seashores (turtles, rockpools and seabirds), Polar oceans
(all things ice related), Oceans and us (human impacts) and Ocean
maps.
All of these sections are filled to the brim with excellent
information that can be read or accessed by children aged from
approximately 7 years old. There are lots of diagrams and charts
which explain various concepts such as tropical cyclones, salt
marshes, and how a fish farm works (an underwater view). Each of
these (and all images) are well labelled and split into smaller
sections so that that the reader knows which part that information
is specific to but also, so they do not get too overwhelmed by the
text.
I really think that this book would be a huge benefit to any
library, but also to any animal or ocean loving child as it really
is just filled with information. My 10-year-old (who has a long
history of loving animals) thought that this book was amazing. He
had it next to his bed for a week and read it every night in bed. He
would come out and tell us all the cool facts he learnt and has now
begun trying to remember all the interesting words and their meanings
from the glossary.
This is also a great non-fiction book for students to use and
practice their skills using a contents page, glossary, and index.
I give this book 5 out of 5 - another winner in the DK range.
Lauren Fountain
Kitty is not a cat: Lights out by Jess Black
Hachette Children's Books 2020 ISBN 9780734419750.
(Age: 6+ years) Recommended. Kitty is not a cat: Lights out
by Jess Black is one of four books being released this year by
Hachette. The book series is based on the Australian animation
television series which has been sold around the world. The story
begins with a brief introduction to the characters and an
explanation of the context of the story. Kitty is a girl who is
dressed in a bright orange costume with ears, a tail and paws. She
joins the clutter of cats that live in the mansion on the hill. Each
cat has its own name and special qualities it brings to the group.
In this story the cats settle down to watch scary movies. While
watching the movies, the cats hear a loud "MEOW" from Kitty's room
where she is having nightmares and wakes up frightened. The cats try
all sorts of ways to comfort Kitty and let her know that nothing can
hurt her in the house. They realise in the end that her night light
is missing and create a new light to help her sleep and feel safe.
During the night Kitty wakes and hears the lullaby from the night
light and finds it in a surprising place.
This book is a very simple, enjoyable story that will entertain
young developing readers who are ready for short novels. The fact
that it is a series will also appeal to those students who will
benefit from word repetition. The book contains very detailed
illustrations and highlighted text where emphasis on a specific word
is important to the flow of the story.
Themes: Cats, Friendship, Scary movies, Nightmares
Kathryn Beilby
Aunty Lee's delights by Ovidia Yu
Singaporean Mystery book 1. HarperCollins, 2013. ISBN:
9780062227157. 288pp.
(Age: 15+) Recommended. A perfect book for mystery lovers to read in
these troubled times, Aunty Lee's delights introduces the
intelligent Rosie Lee, who owns a restaurant in Singapore featuring
her delicious home cooking. When two young women who had dined at
one of her dinner parties are murdered, she turns her hand at
solving the mystery, with the aid of her domestic Nina and Police
Commissioner Raja.
The large cast of people involved are introduced at another dinner
party as well as the spicy food she prepares. There is her stepson
Mark and his rather obnoxious wife Selina, Lucy and Frank
Cunningham, an elderly couple visiting from Australia, Harry
Sullivan an expat trying to make his way in Singapore, and an
American looking for the two young women. Interwoven are
descriptions of the mouth-watering Singaporean food, which is an
integral part of the plot.
This could be described as belonging to the cosy section of the
mystery genre. There are no lingering descriptions of the murders,
other than a memorable section when one of the bodies was discovered
in the water. The story concentrates on Aunty Lee's preoccupation
with solving the mystery of the deaths. As she says, if people have
eaten her food, she considers them as family. Themes of gay love,
the treatment of foreign domestics, and women striving to climb the
social ladder are all dealt with subtly and with compassion.
Easy to read, with often amusing asides, this was an enjoyable story
with a great setting, diverse characters and lots of food! I am sure
to pick up more by this author.
Pat Pledger
The Lost City by Amanda Hocking
Pan Macmillan, 2020, ISBN: 9781529001303.
(Ages: 12+) In this Urban Fantasy where Trolls walk amongst us,
Ulla, abandoned as an infant, is desperate to know more about
herself and her heritage. After spending her youth in the care of
the inn owners where she was left as a baby, and her teen years as a
nanny to a family with six children, Ulla embarks on an internship
at Mimirin located in Merella (the capital city for Trolls hidden
from humans). On the way, she discovers a stowaway - the eldest
daughter of the family she nanny's for! Having travelled too far to
return Hanna home and arrive to Merella in time to start her
internship, Ulla has no choice but to travel on with Hanna. Upon
arrival in Merella, Ulla attempts to navigate the intricate
political nuances that thrive in the capital. Meeting Panuk at her
internship, she learns more about the prejudice that she, Pan and
other TOMBs experience - that is, Trolls of mixed blood. Adventure
in the form of a lost and often confused young Troll, Eliana, adds a
new level to the story, while creating more depth to each of the
characters.
Similar to Harry Potter or Percy Jackson series, The
Lost City is about a magical/mythical Earth where Trolls walk
amongst us. The start of a new series, this book is mainly
political, setting up the histories and traits of the various Troll
tribes, and setting up the next book. The story starts slowly, but
is eventually well paced and very descriptively written, with a
variety of characters, including the mysterious Eliana. Throughout
the story, food plays a significant role, while readers are
introduced to intricate Troll history. Located at the end of the
book is both a glossary and a tribe guide.
Themes: Prejudice, self discovery, mystery, folklore/myths and
legends.
Melanie Phillips
