Author & Illustrators
Rosa by Starlight is a book about how a young girl tries to understand her emotions when her life changes in monumental ways. This is mixed in with a little bit of magic and some feline friends who help along the way.
Rosa loses her parents at the start of the story and has a period of uncertainty as she waits to find out who will care for her moving forward. Eventually, a distant Aunt and Uncle are chosen to care for her – but they don’t like her. Rosa’s whole life is changed from a loving environment to one where she isn’t treated very well and she now spends a lot of time on her own.
Rose makes friends with a cat called Balthazar and this is where the first sparks of magic begin to appear. After a while, Rosa goes to Venice with her Aunt and Uncle. Her Aunt and Uncle are hoping they can lose Rosa while they are there because they don’t want the responsibility of looking after her anymore. Rosa starts to understand that she is lonely compared with the people around her as she has no one she can turn to. There is no one to help her when she is upset. Her Aunt and Uncle continue to treat her terribly, showing no concern for Rosa or her well-being.
While in Venice, Rosa makes friends with a different cat and magic starts to surround Rosa again. Both the cats and a little magic help Rosa to understand some of her feelings. The story does have a happy ending although it is a surprise to find out what will happen to Rosa next.
The book is full of beautifully descriptive language, imagery and illustrations to support the reader in creating the magical scenes in their minds. One for cat lovers and fans of stories where emotions and magic collide.
This is a deliciously dark and spine-chilling tale of mystery and ghosts. Phil Hickes’s descriptively spooky tale is much darker than I was expecting from this middle-grade novel, and is not for the sensitive reader!
When Aveline is left to spend half-term with her Auntie in a quiet coastal town, she never expected the mystery she would uncover or the danger she would find herself in. Atmospherically written, this absorbing storyline feels so realistic. The unfolding folklore throughout the story kept me intrigued – from the Lady in the water to her connection to the Malmouth scarecrows. In addition to this, I was completely invested in Aveline’s plight and the terror she felt. I loved the charming and unique cast of characters we were introduced to in Malmouth, especially Mr Lieberman and his quirky second-hand bookshop (which I have to admit had me wishing I owned a second-hand bookshop).
The idea that second-hand books could connect you to their previous owner I found fascinating, as well as the developing relationship and understanding between Aveline and Primrose (counteracting the horrifying Lady character and suggesting that not all ghosts have evil intentions).
The use of Keith Robinson’s illustrations within the book only enhance the eeriness of the story, especially the rather sinister-looking child scarecrows. Equally, the addition of the Book Club Questions (at the back of this book), would certainly be a useful tool if you were using this for a book club or as a guided reading text.
This is a spectacular, haunting tale that will be devoured by readers who love scary stories and who are not too easily spooked!
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