BooksforTopics Reading for Pleasure Recommendations
Today we feature a time travel adventure that transports us back into a magical Victorian London that is home to mysteries and monsters. Review Panel member Leanne tells us more…
Book Title: The Midnight Hour (available here)
Author(s): Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder
Publisher: Chicken House
Publication Date: February 2019
Reviewed By: Leanne Woolcock – Year 6 Teacher and English Coordinator
As an avid reader and huge fan of children’s literature, I read a lot of books in order to recommend to children and teachers alike. Within only four pages, this book shot straight to the top of my list!
After overhearing a conversation between her mum and dad discussing the need to help her family ‘sort things out’ and having her dad disappear just as suddenly within a week, Emily realises that her family are weirder than she thought.
In order to find and save her parents, Emily must learn to navigate through a very different London to the one she is used to – packed with Night Folk, Pookas and the Hungry Dead with only a constable-in-training called Postlewhite to help. Throw in an Irish charmer (who may or may not have forgotten what to remind her to do), a pocket full of bizarre ‘just in case’ items (including a library card of all things), and a giant bear-like creature carrying a brolly and persistently chasing her in the middle of the night, and you have all the ingredients for an easy-to-read, mystical adventure story.
This is a cracking, creative tale of exploring different worlds, celebrating loyalty and discovering the lengths you would go to for family and love – all wrapped up in magic, humour and the absolute necessity of having snacks with you at all times. A must read!
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You can order The Midnight Hour online or from your local bookshop or library.
Many thanks to the publisher for sending us a review copy of this book and to Leanne for reviewing it.
