Harklights

Product Information

There was just the right amount of choice to suit everyone without being overwhelming and I received comments from parents and staff about the quality of books offered compared to previous sales which have always been based around current crazes and well known celebrity authors. Wick must prove himself to the Hobs and help them solve a serious problem that is threatening to destroy their homes and maybe even their entire species. Conditions for the orphans, whose real names are taken from them when they arrive, are simply appalling. Charmingly written and imbued with a vital, heartfelt message, this is a story sure to settle in the heart of anyone who has ever stood and breathed in the beauty of a forest or marvelled at a spell-binding sunset. However, I found Bottletop destroying Old Ma Bogeys machine to be a little underwhelming, especially since he was being treated better than the other orphans and not filling matchboxes.

This book is perfect for children 8 years and older, and even adults will appreciate the joy this story brings. For me, a big kid, this was just a really lovely read, we follow Wick, who is a boy in an Orphanage, who day in day out is made to box up matches and only gets fed 3 meals of porridge each day. It’s all here in Harklights, a debut novel from the first ever winner of the Joan Aiken Future Classics Prize, set in a vaguely Victorian world with elements of fantasy and steampunk. Wick, the orphan, were forced to make matches in Harklights, the orphanage, run by the horrible, greedy lady, Old Ma Bogey. What didn't work for me was that Wick seemed to become part of the Hob's community within days, and it felt too quick.Your words, like your reviews, bring books to life and give them a voice before the front cover is even turned. When Wick first starts to explore his new environment, it is a joy to see him finding so much beauty around him. The themes of nature, conservation and family weave effortlessly through the novel, with stunning illustrations to bring this organic adventure to life.

Wick is a spunky, likeable main character, even those some of the decisions and developments are too fast. Like Wick, we readers can become Forest Keepers, ready to protect all that grows from danger and threat, no matter how big and seemingly overwhelming that danger may be. He only dreams of escaping, until one day a bird drops something impossible and magical at his feet – a tiny baby in an acorn cradle… As midnight chimes, Wick is visited by the Hobs, miniature protectors of the forest.

Wick has always lived in the dark and dreadful Harklights Match Factory and Orphanage, working tirelessly for greedy Old Ma Bogey.

Candy Gourlay introduces Wild Song, her companion novel to Bone Talk, in which Luki and Samkad leave their home in the Philippines for America. I’m the illustrator for my school book club newspaper, and I’m rarely found without a book in my hand – my absolute favourite is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Tilley, an avid nature-lover himself, provides an accessible story for younger readers to delve into, with rich opportunities to open up discussions about how we can look after our natural world.

Usborne) Wick is determined that Bottletop should not know the worst of Ma Bogey’s regime at Harklights. They would also only drop off a case of books and leave us to run it – it was so lovely to have you on hand to chat to the children and recommend them books, as well as the small (but appreciated! This would be a wonderful way to bring the story’s events to life in the classroom by challenging learners to get involved in their own Wildlife Watch.