Review: The River Spirit written by Lucy Strange and illustrated by Júlia Moscardó

*Written by Lucy Strange*
*Illustrated by Júlia Moscardó*
*Published by Barrington Sto*ke

The River Spirit is a powerful, poignant and hopeful story intertwining history and myth to create a richly atmospheric tale which completely entranced me.

Young chimney sweep Tom Waterman has started seeing strange things that should not be there: a soot monster in the chimney, fairies in the flowers by the river and the ghosts of dead ferrymen in the reeds. When Tom and his friends, Bert and Squirrel, are taken to the river by their cruel master, Mister Crow, for their weekly wash, he sees another supernatural being, a river spirit, but she is different to the other beings as she can be seen by Mister Crow and Tom’s friends.

After saving him from Mister Crow’s cruelty, Elle follows Tom, and is with him when he has to clean chimneys, filthy, soot-laden chimneys that are becoming too narrow for him to climb. His job is a dangerous one, and when Tom puts the safety of a new apprentice above his own, the purpose of Elle’s appearance becomes apparent …

This story does not shy away from the harsh reality of life for young chimney sweeps in 19^th century Britain. Tom and his friends are bought by a Master Sweep and become his property, and are denied their freedom as they are forced into a dangerous job which many do not survive. The children’s appalling living and working conditions portrays the heart-breaking reality of young children forced into child labour as they are poor, orphaned or have had to become money-earners to support their family. This historical background will open up discussions about child labour in 19^th century Britain and encourage empathy both for children in this historical period, but also open opportunities to discuss modern-day child labour.

My heart ached for Tom as he daydreams of a life before his freedom was taken from him when he was six, bought from the Poor House, and forced to work as a climbing boy by a harsh master who cares nothing for his apprentices’ wellbeing. Tom, a ferryman’s son, never forgets where his true home is and the importance of his name, and feels close to home when he is washing in the river where he first meets Elle. He longs for the freedom of the river, yet is trapped in exploitation by a terrifyingly cruel owner. Tom is such an empathetic young boy, showing kindness, friendship and protection towards others. Tom’s decision to protect a new apprentice is a catalyst for change, and his courage brings hope of a better life for others.

The illustrations are stunning and perfectly capture both the ethereal elements of the story and the heart-breaking reality of life for young chimney sweeps.

The River Spirit is a heart-rending novella portraying the dreadful working and living conditions faced by young children in 19^th century Britain, but it is also a story of friendship, kindness and hope.

This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages. This is suitable for 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Drowning in my Bedroom

*Written by Steve Cole*
*Illustrated by Oriol Vidal*
*Published by Barrington Stoke*

Drowning in my Bedroom is a hard-hitting, powerful and absolutely gripping story told through the eyes of two incredible children living in Manila who are brought together in a fight for survival.

Eleven-year-old Junjun lives in a shack under a bridge in Manila with his mother, father and four sisters. He does not go to school, but earns money for his family by begging from passing strangers in the street. When he sees a girl in a wheelchair, he is glad that he is not her …

Gayla is staying at a residential care centre to learn to adapt to using a power wheelchair even though she doesn’t want to use it as she already feels different enough from other children. When she sees a boy sorting through a pile of junk, she is glad she is not him …

When he arrives back at the bridge, Junjun discovers that a storm surge has destroyed his home, and left one of his sisters in need of medical care. Whilst his mother has taken her to try to find a Doctor, Junjun is left with instructions to wait for his father so that they can start to rebuild their home, but he needs to get medicine for his sister …

Gayla is woken by the typhoon-level storm that has destroyed Junjun’s home. She refuses to be evacuated to the local primary school and instead is determined to wait at the Centre for her father to collect her. But then she finds herself alone … until she meets Junjun hiding in the kitchen, hoping to find medicine for his sister.

Can these two children work together to survive as the water levels rise inexorably, trapping them in the Centre? My goodness, this was such a tense, heart-pounding read as Junjun and Gayla fight for survival with the very real threat of drowning in the ever-rising flood water.

This is a story that addresses poverty, disability and climate change through the eyes of two children who pull no punches when talking about these in a brutally honest manner as they make connections with each other. Gayla shares the unfairness inherent in the people of the Philippines suffering the effects of global warming when they are only responsible for half a percent of the total global emissions: they suffer due to the actions of other countries. Junjun and Gayla are such strong, inspirational children – not looking for pity and refusing to be defined by other peoples’ expectations and prejudices because of the situations they were born into. This is certainly a story that encourages empathy and understanding, and which will open discussions around climate change, inequalities and global citizenship.

The full-and-partial-page illustrations are poignant and powerful and are a testament to both the danger and hope within the story.

This is a thought-provoking, compelling novella and one which I cannot recommend highly enough to readers of 11+ .

This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Review: Little House

*Written by Katya Balen*
*Illustrated by Richard Johnson*
*Published by Barrington Stoke*

Little House is a powerful, poignant and empathetic story that speaks such heartfelt truth about home, family and hope.

Juno doesn’t want to stay in the countryside with her grandfather for the summer as she’d rather be spending it in the city, enjoying time spent with her friends. She doesn’t really understand why her mother has to leave her even when she explains to Juno that she wants to help children who have lost their homes and family.

Whilst Grandpa is spending time in his workshop, Juno explores his house and, in the attic, discovers a homeless, abandoned family of dolls and a neglected little house. She immediately feels a connection with this lost family and a responsibility towards them. Can she make them a new home and, at the same time, learn to understand and accept the choices her mother has made?

This may be a short story but, my goodness, it is a much-needed call to empathise with all those who have been torn from their homes in whatever circumstances. Through Juno’s epiphany, she comes to understand the importance of home and caring for the plight of others. This is a story that offers so much opportunity to open discussion about what makes a home and the importance of actively caring for others. I think the metaphor of the doll house and family is a brilliant way to sensitively engage children in empathising with what is happening to children and families in many places in the world.

Juno goes through a turmoil of emotions (including anger, resentment, fear and loneliness) as she moves from feeling powerless to feeling empowered through her desire to help, and the strong, empathetic feelings this engenders. Her grandfather’s gentle, kind nature and his practical and emotional support is just what Juno needs as she works through her own changing feelings.

This is a beautifully told, thought-provoking novella with a message that brought tears, brought anger, and brought hope. It has had such an impact on me as an adult reader, and I have no doubt will be a story that speaks to the hearts of younger readers.

The full-and-partial page illustrations are absolutely stunning and really express the importance of home, family and love in such a warm and tender way.

This is the author’s third novella for Barrington Stoke and is another triumph of heartfelt writing carrying important messages that will encourage empathy and discussion. I can’t recommend this highly enough and think it is a story that should be shared in every school.

This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages. This one is for ages 9+ with a reading age of 8.

Thank you to Barrington Stoke for providing me with a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.