MG Takes on Thursday

This is my new weekly meme celebrating amazing middle-grade books. I hope others will enjoy taking part in this too!

How to take part:

• Post a picture of the front cover of a middle-grade book which you have read and would recommend to others with details of the author, illustrator and publisher.
• Open the book to page 11 and share your favourite sentence. 
• Write three words to describe the book.
• Either share why you would recommend this book, or link to your review.

This week, I’m celebrating …

Favourite Sentence from Page 11:

She had never been there [Paris], yet she felt as though she knew it like the back of her hand.

This book in three words:

MYSTERY, FRIENDSHIP, FAMILY

I absolutely loved The Secret Starling so was eager to read The Pear Affair. And what a BRILLIANT story this is. It is an incredibly gripping mystery, set in 1960’s Paris, which kept me eagerly turning pages as I desperately wanted Nell to be reunited with Pear, but I was NOT prepared for some of the revelations – just WOW!

Twelve-year old Nell feels unloved and neglected by her rich parents whose sole focus seems to be on making even more money. She has been loved by her au pair, Perrine (Pear) who was sent back to Paris when Nell was seven, but has been writing to Nell every month for five years; however, her letters have stopped for the last six months …

When Nell gets the opportunity to go to Paris on her parents’ business trip, she is determined to investigate Pear’s disappearance, and so her adventure – and discoveries – begin … mysterious spores, accusations of theft, Parisian tunnels, new friends, corruption, greed … this engrossing story is full of fast-paced action, intrigue and incredible revelations which absolutely captured me from start to finish.

Nell is a wonderful young girl, with truly awful parents, who captured my heart. She is independent, determined and loyal, and shows courage when facing her fears. She develops some heart-warming friendships with the children who help her in her mission and show her the tunnels beneath the Parisian streets where they have their dens. I especially enjoyed her relationship with Xavier who works as a bellboy in the hotel where she is staying.

I just have to mention the gorgeous chapter heading illustrations at the start of each chapter which complement the story perfectly. I also loved the depiction of 1960’s Paris – the sights, smells and sounds of the boulangeries, boutiques, fashion houses and tunnels.

The Pear Affair is an absolute triumph of a middle-grade mystery: a really clever, fascinating story with plenty of action, intrigue and wonderful friendships. And the ending – just perfect!

I’d love if anyone who wants to give this meme a go would comment in the comments box and include a link to your post so I can visit, comment and find some great middle-grade recommendations. If you do create a post and are on Twitter, and would like to share your post, please use the hashtag  #MGTakesOnThursday so I can find it, read it and share it!