Scan barcode
A review by katykelly
The Time of Green Magic by Hilary McKay
3.0
Domestic family story with a touch of magical realism/fantasy.
Blended family, children each with their own story, and a slightly magic house/occupants. It's quite a brief one, but did make me think of Robert Westall and The House of Green Knowe.
I'm not a huge fan of fantasy that seems to envelop a real-world story, but like A Monster Calls, it can sometime be relevant.
Abi, a reader, finds her life change quite dramatically when her dad falls for a single mum, and she is made to share a house with no only a stepmother, but two step-brothers. Who can't seem to leave her her own space and things. The house they rent is old, a little spooky, and little Louis starts seeing a cat around the place. Or is it?
It's really not what I would have chosen as a child, though I can see that both the domestic/family issues of blended families raised and the fantastical elements will play well with the intended audience.
The siblings' rivalries, arguments, conversations and bonding are all pretty realistic. I definitely wanted more of this side of things, but the narrator captured Abi's young voice and those of the boys convincingly on audiobook.
For ages 8-11.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
Blended family, children each with their own story, and a slightly magic house/occupants. It's quite a brief one, but did make me think of Robert Westall and The House of Green Knowe.
I'm not a huge fan of fantasy that seems to envelop a real-world story, but like A Monster Calls, it can sometime be relevant.
Abi, a reader, finds her life change quite dramatically when her dad falls for a single mum, and she is made to share a house with no only a stepmother, but two step-brothers. Who can't seem to leave her her own space and things. The house they rent is old, a little spooky, and little Louis starts seeing a cat around the place. Or is it?
It's really not what I would have chosen as a child, though I can see that both the domestic/family issues of blended families raised and the fantastical elements will play well with the intended audience.
The siblings' rivalries, arguments, conversations and bonding are all pretty realistic. I definitely wanted more of this side of things, but the narrator captured Abi's young voice and those of the boys convincingly on audiobook.
For ages 8-11.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.