Scan barcode
thereadingmum's review against another edition
4.0
As a warning to other like-minded parents, this is not fully middle-grade. The second last chapter includes topics like sexual acts, teenage pregnancy, homophobia and two uses of the word that is most often corrected to duck. This swearing felt very unnecessary to me and I thought I should warn other parents. If I had known, I wouldn't have let my 10-year-old read this until she was 12 at least. Having said that, my daughter was not deeply affected by this and she loved the book. I only just read this (she's 13 now) and she kept telling me "it's really good" and was pleased I was reading it. So perhaps I'm just overly protective/sensitive, but I would still have preferred knowing.
That said, I really enjoyed this one as an adult. Jessie's voice is convincingly nine-year-old without being annoying for the most part. I loved how Higgie wove a believable fiction from historical facts and each anecdote from "The History" was engaging and characters distinct and likeable.
I got to know the author on social media before reading this book and I am very happy that I love it as much as I like her as a person. Looking forward to her next work.
That said, I really enjoyed this one as an adult. Jessie's voice is convincingly nine-year-old without being annoying for the most part. I loved how Higgie wove a believable fiction from historical facts and each anecdote from "The History" was engaging and characters distinct and likeable.
I got to know the author on social media before reading this book and I am very happy that I love it as much as I like her as a person. Looking forward to her next work.
noellita234's review against another edition
2.0
Not at all what I thought it would be. Instead of history stories mingled with current life, it turns out it’s a slow burn family drama I ended up skimming.
cyan_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Winner of the Fogarty Literary Award, The History of Mischief, is a thoroughly original tale of adventure, love, loss and grief. Siblings Jessie and big sister Kay, are coming to terms with losing their parents and this is explored through a book found under the floor boards like no other they’ve ever come across. The book explores different areas of history with lots of adventures, mystery and of course mischief (fiery dragons were a favourite) and a great range of characters including a quirky neighbour who vacuums her driveway in the middle of the night. Throughout this Jessie discovers that like the book, her life is not exactly as it seems.
This was a beautiful read imbued with a sense of wonder and very unique premise. It was a great gift to be able to escape into this world particularly with the current state of our own. It’s a book I would happily read as a family and can’t wait to share with my children when they’re a bit older.
Thank you to Better Reading and Fremantle Press for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
This was a beautiful read imbued with a sense of wonder and very unique premise. It was a great gift to be able to escape into this world particularly with the current state of our own. It’s a book I would happily read as a family and can’t wait to share with my children when they’re a bit older.
Thank you to Better Reading and Fremantle Press for an advanced copy in return for an honest review.
tattooedlibrarian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
missmonograph_creative's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
READ THIS BOOK!
It seems that my 2022 reads are the gift that just keeps on giving and this book is no exception. I throughly enjoyed this book and it has solidified itself as a highlight read of this year and indeed probably many years to come. Here’s why I love it so much:
‘The History of Mischief’ is a perfectly executed book based on switching times and perspectives. While the story can easily get lost in these details, as it has in many other books, Higgie writes with a clarity that perfectly complements her chosen story format. These switches really propel the story forwards and allows readers to keep interest in the novel.
This book has such a youthful quality that was truly so refreshing. Told from a 9 year old’s perspective, readers are granted a youthful outlook and surprised often by the depth of little Jessie’s observations. While having a ‘children’s book’ quality, the story and beautiful language lend themself to a more mature audience. This combination allowed me to be lulled back in to the comfort of childhood (think like reading Harry Potter vibes) while also feeling challenged by the story.
This story has me crying and laughing but all with an unquenchable sense of warmth. I simply couldn’t put it down and when it ended I felt like I had been cut off from such a beautiful world.
I truly believe that Rebecca’s beautiful novel should be a classic. It has every element of one and is equally deserving of the fame of many other books.
Please read this book, you will not regret it!
Thank you to Fremantle Press for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Have you read ‘The History of Mischief’ let me know!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
It seems that my 2022 reads are the gift that just keeps on giving and this book is no exception. I throughly enjoyed this book and it has solidified itself as a highlight read of this year and indeed probably many years to come. Here’s why I love it so much:
‘The History of Mischief’ is a perfectly executed book based on switching times and perspectives. While the story can easily get lost in these details, as it has in many other books, Higgie writes with a clarity that perfectly complements her chosen story format. These switches really propel the story forwards and allows readers to keep interest in the novel.
This book has such a youthful quality that was truly so refreshing. Told from a 9 year old’s perspective, readers are granted a youthful outlook and surprised often by the depth of little Jessie’s observations. While having a ‘children’s book’ quality, the story and beautiful language lend themself to a more mature audience. This combination allowed me to be lulled back in to the comfort of childhood (think like reading Harry Potter vibes) while also feeling challenged by the story.
This story has me crying and laughing but all with an unquenchable sense of warmth. I simply couldn’t put it down and when it ended I felt like I had been cut off from such a beautiful world.
I truly believe that Rebecca’s beautiful novel should be a classic. It has every element of one and is equally deserving of the fame of many other books.
Please read this book, you will not regret it!
Thank you to Fremantle Press for my copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Have you read ‘The History of Mischief’ let me know!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
sarahroen's review against another edition
5.0
A beautiful engaging story simultaneously spanning the great arc of the history, and my own beautiful town of Guildford. Thoroughly enjoyed this read.
jessthebest123's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good and nice plot twist at the end there
kimmi's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book. Even though at the end we discovered the History was full of lies, I felt like it was so true to real life. I loved all the twists on real myths but Grandma's true story really touched me. In those times, I think it could've happened to anyone. I can't believe Jessie burned the book though. No one ever slightly damages a book and gets away with it with me!
sara_has_no_h's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0