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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
medium-paced
It was an interesting story and I like that it was based on a true story. The book picked up 75% of the way through, but ultimately I didn't love it!! Its definitely a good adventure book for boys (id aim it at them) and more advanced readers 8th-12th
I have mixed feelings about McCaughrean’s writings. I felt the same way about White Darkness.
Astonishing and haunting - the peak of middle grade historical fiction alongside e.g. Hardinge's The Lie Tree. Very bleak, pared down to the bone writing. Highly recommended for KS3 and stretching your top end of Y6, particularly if you're bored sick of Lord of the Flies but still want to explore themes of isolation, tribalism, religious fervour, unreliable narrator, power of stories in stressful situations etc. One tip, though, it's not clear for a long while what time period the book is set in. Make sure your students have read the blurb first!
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked this book more than her book "The White Darkness."
I think this book would be interesting to pair with "Lord of the Flies" or even "Godless" by Pete Hautman.
I think this book is also a fine example of style and the first chapter would be a rich text for craft analysis.
I think this book would be interesting to pair with "Lord of the Flies" or even "Godless" by Pete Hautman.
I think this book is also a fine example of style and the first chapter would be a rich text for craft analysis.
This book was difficult for me. It had some parts that were interesting, but there was alot of the same over and over.
I finished it and then read that it was only based losely on this type of event, with no real info on the real event.
I finished it and then read that it was only based losely on this type of event, with no real info on the real event.
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked this. It gripped me from the start, and the last chapter! Threw me and took me a while to understand what it was meaning. Would read other books by this author.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Violence, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Adult/minor relationship