The Windvale Sprites

The Great Storm of 1987, (the famous one that Michael Fish said was not going to happen), caused huge damage and created a lot of debris, but for one young lad, Asa Brown, it resulted in much more than damaged roofs or fallen trees. Whilst exploring his garden the day after the storm hits, Asa discovers a creature which he initially thinks is a large dragonfly-like insect lying in the pond. But what this Being really is leads Asa on an exciting, humorous, and sometimes scary quest, for it is not an insect but something he thought didn't really exist - a fairy, a sprite. Asa's quest leads him to solving a two-century-long local mystery, discovering the real truth about eccentric local legend Benjamin Tooth, returning a vital lost object to a community, and ultimately making friends with the sprites. This debut novel from The Office and Pirates of the Caribbean actor is well-written, has an interesting plot, and is reminiscent of an old-fashioned fairy tale, sort of along the lines of Nesbit or the more contemporary Spiderwick Chronicles, but in my opinion it is much better than the latter. The accompanying black and white illustrations, also by Crook, add a lot to the story in terms of detail and atmosphere. There are a couple of weak parts and I wish, on a personal level, that he had been more flattering in his portrayal of librarians but these are really minor issues in what is otherwise an engaging story full of magic and adventure. Ages 8+ / Reviewed by Natalie Plimmer, librarian

Suggested Reading Age 7+