The Creature Keeper

By Author / Illustrator

Damaris Young

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

Publisher

Scholastic

ISBN

9781407195056

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

05-11-2020

Synopsis

The perfect magical read for kids who love animals and care about saving the environment! Creepy Direspire Hall sits glowering on the moors - and if you stray too close then beware the growls and scary sounds from within... When animal lover Cora learns that Direspire's mysterious owner is looking for a new Creature Keeper, she realises this might just be the chance she's looking for to save her parents' farm. But Direspire Hall is a spooky place and the strange creatures who live there are nothing like Cora is expecting. As Cora settles into her new life, it soon becomes clear that Direspire has its secrets, and that somebody will do whatever it takes to keep them... \"Thrills and spills... an atmospheric adventure powered by love and loyalty\" The Observer on The Switching Hour. A thrilling and heartfelt adventure for 9-12 year olds. A deliciously creepy gothic setting packed with a hugely imaginative menagerie of magical beasts. Perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson and Katherine Rundell.

Reviews

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is the second novel by Damaris Young (The Switching Hour being her debut and on my TBR pile). The story is about Cora, a young girl who lives on the edge of the moor where the creepy Direspire Hall sits.

One day the people of the village get notice of a new employment opportunity - someone to care for the 'creatures' of Direspire Hall. There has always been talk of strange things happening at the Hall; strange things which cannot be explained. For Cora, this talk only alights her curiosity. She thinks the job is an opportunity to help her mum and dad with their financial problems.

On discovering the disappearance of a family friend's dog, Cora goes onto the moor to find him. While there, she hears strange noises which seemingly come from the Hall.

Lady Cavendish is the owner of Direspire Hall. She inherited it from her late mother and father - explorers who travelled the realms of the world and brought mysterious creatures back with them to the Hall. Creatures such as the glassdragon, seacat, pangolin and the unusual moonbirds, who feed on moonlight which is collected on the surface of water. When Cora meets Lady Cavendish, and accepts the role of 'Creature Keeper', she gets to know these creatures; their feeding habits and curious ways, intimately.

Also living at Direspire Hall is Mr Johnson (Arthur) the butler. He's quite a character in the book - sneaking out at night and meeting a mysterious visitor at the gates. There's also Bea, the housekeeper, and her son Griff. These two once lived with a travelling zoo - 'The Marvellous Travelling Menagerie' - run by Griff's Pa (an awful man who kept Griff and his ma locked up in a cage; afraid they would leave him). They managed to escape and took refuge in Direspire Hall.

Young's ability to bring wonderful images to life, by her descriptions of the animals - especially the Pangea - are world class. This is a wonderful book, which many will thoroughly enjoy - as I did.

320 pages / Ages 9+ / Reviewed by Donna Ritchie, teacher