Piccadilly ISBN 9781848129351 £6.99
This is a magical tale about a young boy Ned, the surviving twin child of Sister Witch. She uses a pot of magic to help those in need and is called to the palace after saving the Queen’s life. While she is away the magic escapes and Ned manages to capture it, but at great cost to himself; however a robber king and his bandits are determined to get their hands on the magic. Will they succeed or will Ned, with the help of the robber’s daughter, be able to thwart their schemes and save the kingdom?
What a beautiful story this has proved to be. There is a wonderful feel of a world that is full of fantasy and magic but where people still fear magic even when it is being used for good. Ned and Aine are two characters that have suffered in their young lives and both need to feel that they are loved and seen as worthwhile. The growth of their friendship and understanding of family and friendship helps them when they have to face major challenges. There is a very lyrical quality to the writing and it is one of those books that might keep you reading well into the night. It is a fantastic read for Upper KS2 children.
Margaret Pemberton