Take a photo of a barcode or cover
A review by jamescross
The Last Firefox by Laura Catalan, Lee Newbery
5.0
I have to do my best not to just gush for the whole review of The Last Firefox by debut author Lee Newbery.
You see it’s all about layers.
Ostensibly it’s the story of a little boy, Charlie, who wants to be more brave. He can’t stand up to his bullies and wants to be able to look after the new sibling his parents are preparing for.
Then you layer in the magic - while playing at a ruined castle, he’s given a Firefox, Cadno, to keep safe from a bad King and an evil shape shifting beast. Can Charlie find his metaphorical inner fire, while keeping the literal fire of Cadno from being discovered?
It all sounds very standard middle grade - and it does tick all of those boxes with huge confidence - there is well handled action, comedy set pieces and a good villain to hate.
Newbery excels in the execution. His writing is accessible for the target age - very visual, the dialogue is pitched well, and the three young characters friendship is beautifully drawn.
The next layer comes with the relationship between Charlie and his dad. Here, the book really sings. The kindness and respect shown is wonderful and it’s rare in middle grade fiction to want to see more of the grown ups in the story!
On a personal note, as a same sex adopter of two children, the final layer is the way that a child with two dads, who are adopting again, is handled deftly so that a child with two dads will feel seen, a child with a mum and a dad will be educated on our normalcy (without realising), and a child who is realising they’re different will be able to see that they can have a loving family when they’re older. It will also reassure adopted children if they are getting a sibling.
Through Section 28, the Thatcher government took away the chance for me to feel normal, and not alone in my feelings. I always tear up when I realise children today don’t have to go through that. By existing the book makes me happy.
You will hear incessantly about this book until release in March. Pre order now!
You see it’s all about layers.
Ostensibly it’s the story of a little boy, Charlie, who wants to be more brave. He can’t stand up to his bullies and wants to be able to look after the new sibling his parents are preparing for.
Then you layer in the magic - while playing at a ruined castle, he’s given a Firefox, Cadno, to keep safe from a bad King and an evil shape shifting beast. Can Charlie find his metaphorical inner fire, while keeping the literal fire of Cadno from being discovered?
It all sounds very standard middle grade - and it does tick all of those boxes with huge confidence - there is well handled action, comedy set pieces and a good villain to hate.
Newbery excels in the execution. His writing is accessible for the target age - very visual, the dialogue is pitched well, and the three young characters friendship is beautifully drawn.
The next layer comes with the relationship between Charlie and his dad. Here, the book really sings. The kindness and respect shown is wonderful and it’s rare in middle grade fiction to want to see more of the grown ups in the story!
On a personal note, as a same sex adopter of two children, the final layer is the way that a child with two dads, who are adopting again, is handled deftly so that a child with two dads will feel seen, a child with a mum and a dad will be educated on our normalcy (without realising), and a child who is realising they’re different will be able to see that they can have a loving family when they’re older. It will also reassure adopted children if they are getting a sibling.
Through Section 28, the Thatcher government took away the chance for me to feel normal, and not alone in my feelings. I always tear up when I realise children today don’t have to go through that. By existing the book makes me happy.
You will hear incessantly about this book until release in March. Pre order now!