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Tag: Ghosts

Published on Leave a comment on The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow by Kate Gordon

Jackdaw Hollow is searching for his place in the world…

Orphaned as a baby when his doting parents are tragically struck by lightning, Jackdaw Hollow is taken in and raised by the headmistress of Direleafe Hall. When he gets older and discovers what really happened the night of the storm, Jackdaw is determined to give his life meaning and purpose by finding his calling.

“I have to be special, somehow, to make up for everything.”

The ghost girls of Direleafe Hall want to help Jackdaw and introduce him to Angeline, a wildling girl they hope will be his friend and help him find his calling. The gentle, lonely boy with an unruly brain, who loves reading, birds and trees and stars is the opposite of fierce Angeline, with fire in her eyes, hair flying free, whose destiny is to join the circus. Jackdaw teaches Angeline to read and write, but more than anything he wants to save her and almost loses sight of his destiny as he tries to be her hero. 

Kate Gordon has written a story of destiny, friendship and self worth as Jackdaw Hollow learns to live more fully, open his heart and embrace his own place in the world.

Rachel Tribout's stunning cover captures Jackdaw Hollow with his black-button eyes searching for the thing that will make him shine.

All of the pieces click into place in The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow to masterfully complete the circle of these exquisite other worldly stories  The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn and The Ballad of Melodie Rose.

I have so enjoyed entering the world of Direleafe Hall and meeting Wonder Quinn, Melodie Rose, Jackdaw Hollow and Hollowbeak.

Happy reading!

 

Published on Leave a comment on The Ballad of Melodie Rose by Kate Gordon

The Ballad of Melodie Rose is a quiet story of connectedness filled with magic, memories and mystery, wrapped in the warm glow of sunrise and sprinkled with stardust.

Melodie Rose is abandoned on the doorstep of Direleafe Hall with a note pinned to her coat, a broken heart and no memory. When Melodie meets the school’s resident ghosts, Lucy, Florence and Nell, she thinks she must be a ghost too.

As Direleafe Hall begins to feel like home, Melodie learns of the mysterious Lady in White who plans to buy and flatten the boarding school to build a resort. Even though it is dilapidated, Direleafe Hall is filled with joy and history and memories and Melodie knows she must save the school for her grandmother and the girls both real and ghostly, but also in case her mother returns. Will she be brave enough to stand up to the Lady in White?

Melodie, Hollowbeak Crow and the girls devise a list of plans to show the Lady in White the true beauty of Direleafe Hall beyond its dust and cobwebs and cracks in walls like sorrows. But in the end it will take someone with courage, empathy and kindness to unlock the Lady in White's hardened heart.

The Ballad of Melodie Rose is about belonging, being brave and being seen and about knowing when to hold on and when to let go. It follows The Heartsong of Wonder Quinn. Both of these heartfelt books need to be read slowly to savour Kate Gordon’s poetic writing and the exquisite imagery she creates.

I’m excited that Kate is writing the third book The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow to be published in March 2022. I hope it reveals even more about my favourite character, the mysterious Hollowbeak.

Thank you for the copy of this book to review UQP.

Happy reading!

Published on Leave a comment on Ting Ting the Ghosthunter by Gabrielle Wang

Gabrielle Wang's title and vibrant cover entice you to want to read her latest book Ting Ting the Ghosthunter.

“This sequel to the award-winning Ghost in My Suitcase is a powerful magic realism story about ghost-hunting, finding yourself, Chinese mythology, family and culture”

Ting Ting's adopted grandmother Por Por is a famous ghost-hunter who is teaching thirteen year old Ting Ting the ancient skills and art of ghost-hunting. Ting Ting chose her name because it meant 'Thunderbolt' and she wants to strike the ground and make the ghosts tremble. She is getting tired of capturing harmless da duzi or 'fat belly' ghosts and wants to be a famous ghost-hunter.

When her grandmother mysteriously disappears on a ghost-hunting job,Ting Ting ignores the warning from the Yi Jing and takes it upon herself to find Por. When Ting Ting arrives at the remote Black Band Village she finds a dangerous ghost enemy with a frightening plan and learns a hard lesson when she thinks the enemy is weak and she is strong. Ting Ting will need to trust others, believe in her true self and call upon all of her ghost-hunting knowledge and skills if she is to save Por and the villagers. Can Ting Ting prove herself to be a true ghost-hunter?

When you have finished the book, look closely at the front cover. Can you see clues about the story that Gabrielle has included in her illustrations? She has also included exquisitely detailed black and white sketches throughout her book that give you little snapshots along the way.

Gabrielle has left me wondering if she has a new story in mind for Ting Ting and Little Cloud...

Writing and Illustration Workshop with Gabrielle Wang

This is a fabulous opportunity if you are  8 -12 years old and would like to develop your writing and illustrating skills in a workshop with Gabrielle.

Where: The Little Bookroom 

When: Monday, September 24th (school holidays)

Time: 3.00pm - 4.00pm (NOTE THE TIME CHANGE)

You can find more information and book your place HERE.

Happy reading and ghost-hunting!

Teacher Notes

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