Lucy Strange

It's funny, I don't really like adult literary fiction, but the kid version is totally intoxicating.

This story is hard and yet I could not put it down. Deals with themes of loss and mental illness and neglect. There's a lot of fear and sorrow in this book, but there's also a lot of bravery and hope, and unexpected allies, and a magical feel, even though it's an entirely realistic book. Set just after WWI in the British countryside, Henry's family is reeling from the death of her brother a show more year before, and have just moved to a seaside town. Her mother is lost to grief, her father seems unable to help and absents himself, and Henry and her baby sister Piglet are left with Nanny Jane in a new place with a frightening doctor and some mysterious characters in the woods and the town.

I love that Hen finds reserves of strengths within herself in a terrifying situation. I love that her initial, fearful judgements about strangers are nearly always wrong, and as she learns that lesson, her world starts to brighten up. The imagery is also just astonishingly lovely, from the caravan in the woods to the round window full of stars in a secret room, to the heavy scented roses of the garden. Fierce, loving, ultimately triumphant. Could not put it down. show less

This is The Yellow Wallpaper: The Middle-Grade Novel. Or, "What if Mrs. Rochester were a real person, not just 'the crazy lady in the attic,' and she had a plucky daughter?" The way the doctor convinces Henry's dad that his wife's depression requires isolation, institutionalization, "experimental treatments," the complete theft of her agency... and the way that post-WWI societal expectations about women are complicit in everyone's treatment of both Henry's mom and Henry herself... it's show more straight-up horrifying. It is the best book I've ever read for young people about gaslighting. This is 21st century middle grade, so you know it doesn't end like [b:The Yellow Wallpaper|775616|The Yellow Wallpaper|Charlotte Perkins Gilman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1315793049s/775616.jpg|59695206] or [b:Jane Eyre|10210|Jane Eyre|Charlotte Brontë|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1327867269s/10210.jpg|2977639], but there's also no pretending that Henry is anything other than unusually audacious and lucky. Her society is obviously deeply broken, in ways that go far beyond the villainous doctor. This book is explicitly feminist in ways that are kind of brilliant, and I look forward to discussing it with kids.

I'd sell it as a mystery, a la [b:The Ruby in the Smoke|114982|The Ruby in the Smoke (Sally Lockhart, #1)|Philip Pullman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1424038246s/114982.jpg|1128656], historical spunky heroine tale a la [b:The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate|6202556|The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate (Calpurnia Tate, #1)|Jacqueline Kelly|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1437655533s/6202556.jpg|6383049], or gothic horror a la [b:Wait Till Helen Comes|267972|Wait Till Helen Comes|Mary Downing Hahn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1486692223s/267972.jpg|259783], depending on the kid. show less

In a Nutshell: A hard-hitting yet touching story about children who worked in mines in the nineteenth century. Emotional and tense. Powerful in impact. Great illustrations.

Story Synopsis:

Nine-year-old George isn’t too happy when he has to stop attending school and work in a mine just as his dad and uncle do. But with the family’s financial situation being precarious, he has no choice. His dad tries hard to make his son’s time at work pleasant. However, just a few days after George

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begins work, a summer storm leads to a flood in the mine. When George and the other kids are trapped inside, a strange figure seems to be guiding them to safety.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of George.

I had read this author’s ‘The Mermaid in the Millpond’ and had been impressed by how well she wrote a story about a dark historical reality combined with a mythical element. She has recreated the same magic this time.

This is not an easy story to read, and I do not say so with respect to the vocabulary. The tale covers several sad events and can be emotionally affecting. Today’s children might not even know about mines and the dangers they posed, so this book will offer great insight into what it meant to be a child miner about two hundred years ago.

I did wonder how a minotaur would fit in a story set in the industrial revolution era, but trust me, the author has woven this into the narrative with such finesse that you won’t even question it. At the same time, the mythological aspects are not overwhelming, so kids who are not fans of mythology needn’t worry.

Though a relatively short book, the development of the key characters is amazing. George, his parents, his younger sister and his uncle all come across in a realistic way. Even the minor characters such as Miss Brown (George’s teacher) leave an impact though they have minimal scenes.

Despite the heavy content, the book pushes in moments of happiness whenever it can. The bond between father and son is amazing, and comes out not just through words but through simple gestures such as eating together on the first day of work or having fun with the stream water. Through a secret storybook that George discovers in his room, we also get to see how books can provide solace and escape from daily drudgery.

The author is also great at creating a strong visual effect through her writing. Every scene comes alive through her words. She doesn’t go overboard on the details of the mine, but offers just enough for us to understand how dangerous the work was. Her scenic descriptions are also spot on.

This book presents plenty of opportunities for discussions in class and even at home. Right from the dangers of mining to child labour issues and laws, to poverty during the industrial revolution, to Greek mythology, to the more practical themes such as the importance of education and of listening to your parents, the story is filled with points that can add a great deal of knowledge and value.

The illustrations by Pam Smy are the perfect addition to an already perfect story. Smy captures the emotions of the characters especially well. To create such an impact with B&W sketches isn’t easy, but the illustrator manages this wonderfully.

The historical note penned by the author provides a sombre description of the real-life incident that inspired this story. Don’t miss reading this.

As is usual with the books by this publisher, the story is written in a Hi-Lo style, with the content being suitable for ages 9+ but edited to a reading language of 8 years so as to make it accessible to a wider range of readers. I have read and loved more than a dozen books by this publisher, and have come to equate their name with quality.

Definitely recommended to middle graders. This works as an excellent resource if you are looking for books with meaningful content, great discussion value, and historical insights.

4.5 stars.

My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Storm and the Minotaur”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

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I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This book for the younger middle grade set (age 8+) absolutely charms with its dark yet hopeful story and fantastic illustrations. Bess is a recently-orphaned girl at a Victorian factory. Life is hard--abuse is rampant, hours are long, and the adults are awful. Bess isn't surprised by the cruelty of life anymore, though, and she doesn't want to make friends with other workers like Dot. Why get close to someone, to be hurt again? But show more when she realizes the rumored mermaid in the millpond is real--and trapped in a horrible place, just like her--she understands she's not the only one who suffers... and that burdens are easier when they are shared by friends.

I adored this book. Yes, it is grim and realistic in its depiction of factory life, but it's also about empowerment, hope, and friendship. The illustrations are wonderful, too--moody and eloquent, and they add a lot to the story. I would have loved this book as a child, and I love it now, too. show less