By Maureen Tai, 23 October 2017
Parents of protagonists in middle-grade fiction lead perilous lives, if they are permitted to live at all. Bigfoot, Tobin and Me is no exception.
Running on the Roof of the World by Jess Butterworth
By Maureen Tai, 16 October 2017
“I shiver. It is up to us now. And even when we do get home, it will be different. A man set himself on fire and nothing will be the same again.” – Tashi
Don’t be fooled by the cute, cartoon-like illustrations on the cover or the intricate line drawing of Tibetan mandalas at each chapter break. Continue reading
Duck, Death and the Tulip by Wolf Erlbruch
By Maureen Tai, 15 October 2017
“Oh, I’ve been close by all your life – just in case.” – Death
In this sparsely illustrated picture book, Duck becomes aware of Death’s presence seemingly by chance, and it unsettles her.
There is no mistaking Death. Continue reading
Journey To the River Sea by Eva Ibbotson
By Maureen Tai, 13 October 2017
“..I think children must lead big lives … if it is in them to do so. – Miss Minton
And so we are whisked away on a journey with Maia as she leads her new big life in the jungles of the Amazon. Under the watchful eye of Miss Minton, her stern but well-meaning governess, Maia discovers that her adoptive family is loathsome in every way. Continue reading
Stories That Stay With Us 