Author & Illustrators
Jessie Burton’s Medusa is a spellbinding reimagining of the ancient myth, told with tenderness and a new perspective. Rather than focusing on Medusa as the terrifying monster of legend, Burton gives her a voice filled with longing, vulnerability and strength.
The story centres on Medusa as a young woman living in exile, grappling with her identity and the curse that has defined her. When she encounters Perseus, their meeting is charged with tension and the weight of choices that could change everything. Burton’s retelling strips away the layers of fear and villainy that have clung to Medusa for centuries and instead portrays her as a symbol of resilience and female power.
A stunning, must-read for young adults. The story paints Medusa in such a different light from the one in most other stories. Utterly captivating.
Being a Jessie Burton fan, I was excited to read her newest children’s book.
Packed full of mystery, magic and friendship, this is a thrilling adventure, perfect for UKS2 readers. Set in WW1 Britain along the banks of the River Thames, this book provides an exciting tale that would fit well into topic learning, with a magical twist.
The main characters in this story are Bo and Billy, whose lives become entwined when they each discover an incredibly special piece of jewellery buried in the mud of the Thames. It soon becomes clear this piece has magical powers, able to transport the children into alternative realms. They soon discover that it is not all it can do…
This book will appeal to children and adults and is ideally suited to be shared with an upper KS2 class.
Nominated for Favourite Books of 2018 by: Sophie Anderson (@sophieinspace), children’s author of The House With Chicken Legs (available here)
I love fairytale reimaginings and The Restless Girls is one of the best I’ve ever read. Beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated, the story smashes all the stereotypes in the original tale and sings of resistance, perseverance, strength and freedom. Perfect for sisters and brothers, boys and girls, young and old…I adore it!
review
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Year group(s) the book is most suitable for:
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Does the book contain anything that teachers would wish to know about before recommending in class (strong language, sensitive topics etc.)?
Would you recommend the book for use in primary schools?
yes
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Curriculum links (if relevant)
Any other comments
Any other comments