The Experiment

Nathan is used to keeping secrets. No one must know that he and his parents are from another planet, although his parents don’t like the term ‘aliens’, preferring to say that they are ‘visitors’ from the planet Kast. However, when Nathan suddenly grows a tail, which he calls ‘Tuck’, the family must return to the Wagon, their spaceship, to consult with Hester, the ‘boss’. But something is not right and Nathan soon starts to doubt everything he has been taught to believe…

‘The Experiment’ is a must read for anyone looking for something a little bit quirky, extremely well written and utterly absorbing! Once again, however, it is a story which is hard to review without ruining the plot for those who have not read it, but I have tried not to give too much away.

Nathan is a lovely, gentle lad who quietly submits to all the assessments and routines which he believes are part of his being Kast and enable him to pass as a ‘normal’ boy on Earth. Being with his best friend, Victor, he manages to experience being part of ‘a normal, messy, perfect family’, but is very aware of how different his life is to that of those around him, encouraging empathy from the reader as he reflects on his situation and feelings. Equally well developed is Victor, whose genuine loyalty to his friend is really touching.

Nathan’s plight is gradually exposed, raising many questions about what is happening and why and thus quickly hooking the reader. Intrigued, I found it hard to put down with the short chapters encouraging me to read ‘just one more’ as the pace picked up and the book romped its way to an exciting conclusion. For the right class, this would make an excellent class story, keeping them guessing, predicting and engaged until the very end!

The Experiment

Rebecca Stead

Andersen ISBN: 978-1839137815

North and the Only One

Since she woke up, Rose can’t remember anything- except her puppy, North. Mother is patient and helpful, carefully filling in the blanks, but Rose can’t quite shake off the feeling that something isn’t right. She isn’t allowed to draw back the curtains and can only venture into the garden early in the morning or at sunset, wearing a large-brimmed hat. She has strange dreams which Mother can’t -or won’t explain- and waking from one of these leads her to a discovery which frightens her into fleeing from the house. Once outside, however, it quickly becomes clear that she is different to those around her…

‘North and the Only One’ hits the high standard expected from a Vashti Hardy novel whilst managing to be different to her other books! It is a thoroughly engaging read, offering much to reflect upon and discuss.

As humans have died out ‘due to their own stupidity’ humanoid robots have replaced them, leaving Rose feeling alienated and completely alone, clinging to North, her companion and the only thing which she feels is familiar to her. When she escapes from her mother, Rose finds herself in the city where everything seems perfect- and yet its inhabitants are quick to judge, criticise difference and wish to be rid of anything which doesn’t fit their idea of ‘normal’. Her humanity makes her stand out, allowing readers to reflect on the importance of individuality!

The book focuses on Rose’s journey- literal and metaphorical- to find out who she really is, and we see the world through her eyes as she encounters things for the first time, reflecting on and sometimes questioning what she discovers and the book would make an excellent guided reading text, offering as it does so much to explore and discuss.

An excellent, imaginative adventure, ‘North and the Only One’ is a moving, wise tale with much to recommend it.

‘We’re all the same. We’re all made of stories.’

North and the Only One

Vashti Hardy

Scholastic ISBN: 978-0702312274

You can read my review of ‘Serpent in the Sands’ here.

The Circle Breakers

When Elle and her friends go to the Halloween funfair, they little expect a ride on the ghost train to take them back in time to 1880, face-to-face with the criminal mastermind behind The Vicious Circle, The Grandfather. They are amazed to learn that he needs their help and although they don’t want to help, the Infinites are faced with the possibility of public exposure and no Leaping will be safe. And so begins a thrilling adventure across time…

I am such a fan of this series! Elle is a wonderful heroine. Loyal and kind, her autism is depicted with care and attention to detail, inspiring empathy and understanding as she tackles the daily challenges she faces as well as those of being a Leapling. In this story, her world is turned upside down and yet, with the support of her friends, she finds the courage and strength she needs. Each character is well developed, but Big Ben remains my favourite!

Not only does the story offer an original and exciting adventure, but Patience seamlessly weaves various themes like environmental issues into the story, making for a thought-provoking read with much to discuss. The whole series is perfect for children in upper KS2 who are looking for something a bit different. With a palpable sense of tension and the celebration of true friendship, this is a book not to miss!

The Circle Breakers Patience Agbabi

Canongate ISBN: 9781838855796

Published today.

You can read about my trip to see Patience at The Story Museum in Oxford here.