Maisie vs the Himalayas

In Maisie vs The Himalayas, their second adventure together, Maisie and her dad, George, travel to Bhutan in the Himalayas to research his latest book, How to Find Hidden Treasure. They find themselves in remote caves deep beneath the mountains, accompanied by Renata, an old acquaintance of Maisie's mum, who died when Maisie was a baby. Dad is not pleased to see Renata, and Maisie soon learns why. They find cases of gold coins hidden in the caves; Renata is out to steal the treasure and frame George for the theft.

Maisie and Dad share a special power and they must work together and use all their resources to foil Renata's plan. Maisie discovers that she has other, equally amazing powers, and also learns more about the mother she never met but misses so much.

Maisie vs The Himalayas is another fast-paced, well written adventure story, with themes of family and teamwork. Told in the first person, Maisie's voice sings from the page; she is funny, brave, resourceful and loyal to her father. She faces every problem head-on, and manages to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. Dad is often exhausted due to over-using his powers, and Maisie often has to take the lead and give dad even more support. Renata is the villain of the novel and there are some very amusing exchanges between her and Maisie.

The chapters are short, and most end on a cliffhanger, encouraging the reader to keep turning the pages. The story ends satisfyingly with Maisie and her dad growing even closer, and with the promise of another adventure for the duo in the offing. Giving Maisie and her father special powers gives this clever series an added twist. Appealing to both boys and girls, I predict that Maisie's adventures will prove very popular with all readers. Highly recommended.

240 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian.

Suggested Reading Age 9+

Maisie Vs the Himalayas is a lively, adventurous tale that mixes wild escapades with thoughtful reflections on family, trust, and growing up.

Maisie is a feisty character - cheeky, impulsive, and at times downright reckless. In complete contrast, her father is serious, careful, and weighed down by rules. Whilst their personalities might clash occasionally, it's in those moments of frustration that the depth of their love for one another really shines through.

The story takes us to the dramatic setting of the Himalayan caves, where Maisie and her father must face a series of heart-stopping dangers: collapsing rocks, burning rope bridges and powerful explosions. This peril adds greatly to the tension and excitement but also serves to highlight how father and daughter, despite their differences, must learn to work together.

The true magic of the book lies in the powers: Maisie and her father have special powers that are as exhausting as they are extraordinary. In the previous book, Maisie discovered that she has inherited her father's abilities, but she is still learning how to use them.  In this instalment, Maisie finds that she has a gift of her own!

The arrival of Renata, a mysterious figure from Dad's past, adds a layer of intrigue. Maisie is longing to know more about the mother she never met and hopes that Renata will provide answers and details, but Renata is not all that she seems to be. Renata has her own super power but one that she is prepared to use with evil intent; a contrast to Maisie and her father's restraint, teaching young readers a valuable lesson about responsibility.

Jackman's writing is engaging and witty. He captures Maisie's voice perfectly - mischievous, self-deprecating and full of heart. I can see this book being very popular with children who love adventure but also with those who enjoy a story about family bonds. In the classroom, I would recommend Maisie vs the Himalayas for confident readers in Key Stage 2. It's fast-paced, perilous but kind.

Maisie Vs The Himalayas offers plenty to talk about: how we use our talents, how we handle temptation, and how important it is to understand those we love, even when they seem different from us. This is a fun read full of danger, humour, and heart.

240 pages / Reviewed by Jo Clarke, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+