NEVERMOOR by Jessica Townsend (Orion £12.99
NEVERMOOR
by Jessica Townsend (Orion £12.99)
Morrigan Crow was born a ‘cursed child’, an outsider in society and, as such, is blamed for every misfortune from stormy weather to a bad batch of marmalade.
She is also doomed to die, unmourned by her cynically world-weary family, at eventide on the cusp of her 12th birthday — but suddenly she learns her demise will come a year early.
In the nick of time, she is whisked away by the mysterious Jupiter North to the city of Nevermoor, where she must complete four trials to win a place in the Wundrous Society.
There’s evil, magic and a great deal of deadpan black humour in this fantasy adventure that’s already been signed up for a film deal. The gloriously feisty Morrigan should inherit the ardour of Potter fans.(Age 9+)
THE LAND OF NEVERENDINGS
THE LAND OF NEVERENDINGS by Kate Saunders (Faber £10.99)
by Kate Saunders (Faber £10.99)
Emily’s profoundly disabled sister Holly has died, leaving her inarticulate with grief. She also misses Bluey, Holly’s teddy bear who was buried with her and who starred in the stories Emily made up about the magical toyland of Smockeroon — stories that made Holly smile.
Then, old toys start appearing in Emily’s bedroom; bears and dolls who have slipped across the border between real life and the world of Neverendings (or Smockeroon) for adventures.
It’s all a metaphor for sorrow and loss, and provides Emily with a quest to bring harmony to the fantasy world and see a glimpse of her own future happiness.
Costa award-winner Saunders draws on memories of her son, who died as a teenager, to create this deeply moving and highly imaginative story. (Age 9+)
SKY DANCER
SKY DANCER by Gill Lewis (OUP £6.99)
by Gill Lewis (OUP £6.99)
No one writes about nature with as much passion and intelligence as Gill Lewis, whose books tackle controversial environmental issues through memorable characters trapped in dilemmas.
Here, we meet 12-year-old Joe, whose father died after being imprisoned for killing a protected hen harrier, birds loathed by gamekeepers for preying on the grouse bred for shooting.
But Joe finds himself compromised when he rescues a hen harrier chick and meets a ‘townie’ girl who questions the countryside values with which he has been raised. Who can he trust to keep his secret?
And can he ease his grief for his lost father by standing up for his beliefs?
Powerfully written from multiple perspectives, Lewis produces something very special with each new book.(Age 10+)