Tag Archive | Walker Books

The Turnkey Of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby

Apr11

Unique, Exciting & Engaging

The Turnkey Of Highgate Cemetery by Allison Rushby is an entertaining children’s novel that I thoroughly enjoyed. It is perfect for ten years and over.

The action is set during World War II in London. We join a young girl who is deceased and who also looks after the dead in Highgate cemetery. She is the turnkey. She witnesses the destruction of London, and stumbles upon a deceased Nazi officer with evil intent.

There are battles between good and evil as the veil between ‘now’ and the afterlife grows thin.

Family is important. Family make a difference. We all want someone to love us.

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The Ghost Locket by Allison Rushby

Apr2

Something Truly Beautiful

The Ghost Locket by Allison Rushby is a charming contemporary children’s novel that is perfect for ten years and over.

Though the tale is set at Christmas, the story is suitable for any time of year.

A house in London is set up to be a living museum. It is occupied by three people who have passed but are trapped within the building. Eleven-year-old Lolli sees spirits and realises that they need her help – but needs to work out what must be done.

Lolli had a bond with Elsie, the old lady who lived in the house. She imparted words of love and wisdom. Her love reaches beyond the grave.

As the days pass, Lolli realises she does not want to live afraid any longer. “I don’t want to be the person I am. Always scared. Always afraid. Always saying no.” Lolli must face her fears in order to defeat them. She remembers what Elsie would have said and is motivated by that. “She would help me without question. That’s what people who love each other do. Even when they’re scared, they show up.”

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I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery

Jul20

Choose Love

I Am Rebel by Ross Montgomery is a powerful children’s novel that I loved. It is perfect for ages eight years and over.

The novel explores the twin themes of love and loyalty as farm-dog Rebel, sets out in search of his twelve-year-old master, Tom. “He [Tom] is my everything. He’s my nights and my mornings and all my hours inbetween.”

Rebel believes that Tom needs saving, not only from war but from himself. “I have to fight for him… I love him. I have to save him, like he saved me.”

Along the way, Rebel meets characters who help him – a stray dog; a mouse; a pig; a donkey; and a little girl and her grandfather. All become a part of Rebel’s story, whilst having their own individual stories.

Rebel learns about the Companion. “Wherever I go, the Companion walks beside me… The Companion led each of us into this world, they will lead us out of it again… They will walk beside you, always.” The Companion is the canine version of the Holy Spirit.

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The Mozart Question by Michael Morpurgo

Mar16

Powerful

The Mozart Question by Michael Morpurgo is a powerful children’s novel. It is perfect for ages ten years and over.

This is a tale simply but powerfully told. It introduces the reader to the power of music, memories and the holocaust. It is written in such a way as to inform but not to scare children into having nightmares.

Music transports us through time and space. We hear a piece of music and are immediately back somewhere in time. When that place is a concentration camp, we know why certain music is avoided as it causes great pain.

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