A strange series of coincidences lead Fran and Leo to search for an Anglo Saxon burial ground. With the threat of war looming, this is a story of those who will be left behind.
This spooky story is brilliantly tense throughout. Rich in history and filled with ghosts, family dynamics and friendship, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Fran and Leo's friendship is one of this story's strengths. I loved their curiosity, and desire to track down the burial ground, and also the way they reassure each other. Together, they learn that hardship and fear are easier to live with when you don't have to face them alone.
The impending war threatens to alter all of the character's lives, and it is this change and uncertainty which causes frictions in the narrative. The threat posed by the future is something a lot of readers will find familiar even now, and Carroll's exploration of it will prove comforting - we may not be able to avoid the huge global challenges we face, but we can find strength in our connection to others.
Barrington Stoke's trademark font and style make this clear and easy to read. The story is complex and engaging, but the writing is simple enough for unconfident readers to follow. This story will be popular in school libraries, with children who want a spooky, more grown up story that isn't too complex to read.
Thank you so much Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy for review.
No comments:
Post a Comment