Chicken House, 978191026972
If you are a fan of historical novels, especially authors such as Emma Carroll, then you have hopefully already become a fan of Lindsay Galvin. Her previous novels have mixed history with adventure in a way that both educates and enthralls the reader. As an adult who grew up with authors such as Rosemary Sutcliff, Cynthia Harnett and Leon Garfield, I am so delighted to see such a resurgence in high quality historical novels for MG children.
With this new book, the author has taken us to London in the year 1666, which as most readers will know means that great and terrible things have happened; with the Great Plague of the previous year, and now, just when the population is hoping for a more settled life, things are about to take an even more perilous turn.
The hero, Gil, is visiting his grandparents in Pudding Lane when a fire starts at a business further down the street and rapidly gets out of hand. As the family have to evacuate the house, Gil’s young cousin Roly insists on bringing a mysterious stone, that had fallen from the sky, during a storm two years previously. But something magical happens when the ‘stone’ splits open, showing that it is the egg for a small bird; the problem is that the bird seems to grow at a phenomenal rate and has a very odd diet of cinders, candles and other fire associated things. As Gil’s grandmother and cousin head towards the Tower of London and the eastern part of the city, he and his grandfather (with the bird) decide to make for Gil’s home, close to St Paul’s Cathedral. the river seems to be the safest option, but finding a boat is far from easy. Eventually his grandfather is taken aboard a friend’s boat, but Gil and the boatman’s granddaughter Linnet have to make their way through the panicking city. The two young people face a multitude of dangers, from both nature and the scared inhabitants around them and the fire loving bird is
not really helping them. The story follows the children as they overcome prejudice, fire and a mysterious character who tries to kidnap their bird for King Charles II. the story is told chronologically and we follow the action as the flames spread over the days, always at the mercy of the wind direction.
Lindsay Galvin has once again crafted a brilliant adventure story that weaves historical accuracy and also manages to give us the feel of 17th century London, with its crowded and dirty streets, fear of invasion by the French or Dutch and the underlying mistrust of 
those who might be Catholics or foreigners at least. I love the way that the author has included several well-know characters from the period, so we see the Lord Mayor of London, Sir Thomas Bloodworth, who did not do well and also the diarist Samuel Pepys, who was much more pro-active and involved in trying to save areas of the city. We also get the fact that the many bookshops and printers near to St Paul’s did store their stock in the crypt, only for the fire to find a way inside and destroy almost everything.
This author really does go from strength to strength, not only with her historical accuracy, but also with the emotions that she portrays in her characters. Whilst the majority of young readers will read this because of the action and excitement, the book will also prove a favourite for KS2 teachers who are covering the events of 1665 and 1666. What a fabulous book, this really does deserve five stars and a place on my favourites list for the year.
Lindsay Galvin is a full-time author and scriptwriter fascinated by history, the natural world, myth, and psychology. Her first middle
grade book — word of mouth bestseller Darwin’s Dragons — has been published across the world and is commonly read in British classrooms. She presents lively book events for all ages, calling on 20 years teaching experience. When not working, she enjoys long shore-side dog walks with her family, and the occasional sea swim.
Find out more at lindsaygalvin.com and follow on Twitter: @lindsaygalvin.
as they struggle to save the world. Although it is best to have read the first two books in the sequence, we are given a timeline of the story so far, which will bring readers up to speed, but also make them want to read the others.
“Whoo, steady on there!” Harry cried over the wind, shoving his arm back to stop Grian’s certain fatal descent. “You can’t be falling asleep on me, mate. I warned you the last time.”
his brother in the bottom of their garden. She lives in a small house with Robbie, their daughters Jo and Bobbie and dog Tinker.
Magdalene College, Cambridge University. He writes novels, short stories, and poetry collections. He has won the TLS / Blackwell’s Prize for Poetry and the Southern Arts Literature Prize, and been shortlisted twice for the Forward Prize, twice for the Welsh Book of the Year Award and once for the Ted Hughes Award. In 2004, he was chosen as one of the Next Generation Poets. He is a Fellow of the Welsh Academy. Matthew lives with this wife in Aberystwyth, Wales where he enjoys playing chess, cooking and playing the ukulele.
sorceress in the city.However, things take a sinister turn during market day, as something very big falls from the sky! It is a rather well dressed giant and not unexpectedly, after his fall, he is a very dead giant. Some investigation by Anwen and her grandmother discovers that this was not a natural death, the victim had been MURDERED.!! The problem is that there has been no contact between the Giants’ kingdom and the human world since the end of the Great Beanstalk War, many years previously. However the villagers decide that they have to try and send a message to the Sky Kingdom, unfortunately Anwen and Cerys find themselves caught in the beanstalk that has been especially grown, but which starts to decay after they have reached their destination. What they discover is that the dead giant was actually the king and they want to help find who the murderer was, but their own lives are in danger, as they are so small. Look out for an unexpected villain who reveals himself at the climax of the plot
Who. He’s had all sorts of jobs over the years, from lifeguard to roller-coaster operator, but has always wanted to write stories. He lives in Wales with his wife Anna and their two children.