Chicken House (www.chickenhousebooks.com) ISBN 9781911490340 £6.99
This is the second novel by the critically acclaimed author of ‘The Elephant Thief’. It is set in the same world as the first book, but you don’t need to have read the earlier book to enjoy this novel in its own right. This is a brilliantly original story with some strong themes of prejudice, identity and belonging. I loved it from the outset, with its authentic feel and important but timely themes. Set shortly after the Victorian era, it might be an interesting novel to read while studying this topic in class. We follow the story of Danny as he cares for the animals in Belle Vue zoo alongside training the famous elephant, Maharajah. When animals start escaping, he is the first to be accused as those around him point to his former life on the streets and his pickpocket past. It would be a fantastic basis for a class debate or mock trial to highlight how our preconceptions can influence our judgements. For fans of mystery and adventure, this is another classic in the making. Age range KS2.
Laura Davies