Evie and the Animals

Evie and the Animals

By Author / Illustrator

Matt Haig, Emily Gravett

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

7+

Publisher

Canongate Books Ltd

ISBN

9781786894281

Format

Hardback

Published

06-06-2019

Synopsis

Eleven-year-old Evie has a talent. A SUPERTALENT.A talent that can let her HEAR the thoughts of an elephant, and make friends with a dog and a sparrow.The only problem is, this talent is dangerous. VERY dangerous. That's what her dad says.So when she frees the school rabbit from its tiny hutch, she vows to keep her talent a secret. But after a face-to-face encounter with a lion, things start to go very wrong. Her dad - and every animal in town - is now in danger. Evie is determined to save them. And to find the truth of her own past. To do that she must battle a mysterious man with a talent more powerful than any other.As time runs out, she must seek help from the animals, and finally DARE TO BE HERSELF . . .

Reviews

Linda

The blurb on this book got me straight away... What child would not like to talk to and understand animals?? As a child I would have loved to have had this special skill as I always had animals around me, it would have come in handy! Evie doesn't just love animals, she knows lots and lots of useful facts about them, but it doesn't stop there. Evie has a very special skill... she can talk to them! It's her very own superpower that sadly she has to keep a secret because who is going to really believe her? Things begin to change when she rescues the school rabbit Kahlo and sets him free in the Forest of Holes where his home is. Her dad is angry when he finds out and makes her promise not to communicate with animals again as it's very dangerous. Evie keeps this promise for almost a year, then missing animal posters start popping up all over town. What is the cause of these disappearances? Granny Flora secretly begins to teach her how to use and develop her Talent, as she is going to need it really soon... 256 pages that mention climate change, carelessness towards Earth and its inhabitants, along with moments of bullying, family, friendship and humour; this book has quite a few sides to it. Easily suitable for the 8+ reader or slightly younger confident reader. The story would also be great for primary reading /intervention groups due to the topics that are raised. It would also be great for reading aloud to younger children to engage/entertain them, leading them into a love for reading. Most importantly, though, this is a book to read just for pleasure, and with the added wonderful illustrations that help bring the story alive, what a pleasure it has been to read it. This is such an enjoyable tale for the younger audience. It clearly goes without saying that all animal lovers will enjoy the story about Evie and her special Talent. Give it a go, you will not be disappointed. 256 pages / Ages 8+ / Reviewed by Linda Brown, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 7+

 

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