The Day Death Died

By Author / Illustrator

Tanya Landman, Cinthya Alvarez

Genre

Suspense & Thrillers

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

HarperCollins Publishers

ISBN

9780008764890

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-11-2025

Synopsis

When Jack gives Death a taste of his own medicine, he's unprepared for life in a world where nothing dies. An engaging quick-read for seriously struggling readers from award-winning author Tanya Landman.

Jack's mum is ill and Jack is devastated when Death arrives to take her away. Jack doesn't want to let her go, so he fights back and drives Death away. But what consequences will there be when Death is banished from the world?

Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of six.

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Reviews

Ruth

Author, Tanya Landman has managed to fit a highly emotional story within only 22 pages about Jack fighting against, and then finally coming to terms with, his Mum's death. The Day Death Died could be a useful resource for older, adult-supported primary school age children, but please note that the publishers recommendation is 11+ years.

This powerful, yet brief story, is an essential addition to the secondary school library catalogue and would be a potentially valuable resource for paired reading in a sensitive situation with a bereaved child. The book is richly illustrated by Cinthya Alvarez with dramatic pictures which further enhance the text, and the front cover is eye-catching for dynamic shelving.

The Day Death Died, a dyslexia-friendly book, offers readers an accessible story in Barrington Stoke's familiar font and format, with clever use of space and illustrations to break up the narrative, use of shortened sentences and paragraphs, yet maintaining the traditional beginning, middle and end of great storytelling.

This book is suitable for all readers but will particularly suit reluctant and struggling readers because of the short length - this brevity offers additional resources for secondary school librarians and literacy leads striving to encourage reading for pleasure in schools and beyond. Highly recommended, especially with sensitive use for those children who are experiencing the loss of a loved one.

32 pages / Reviewed by Ruth Cornish, school librarian

Sue

Tanya Landman's books are always enjoyable and in The Day Death Died, she has written an extremely engaging quick read which offers plenty to think about.

When his mother becomes ill, Jack is devastated when Death comes to take her away and decides to fight back. Jack manages to get rid of Death, but then is horrified by the consequences.

In such a short book, Tanya Landman manages to create a very atmospheric and compelling story through really carefully chosen language and short, powerful sentences. Highly illustrated, it is a a story sure to provoke both thought and discussion, capture the interest of even the most reluctant reader and hopefully, lead them to other books!

32 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher