Time to Shine at the River School

By Author / Illustrator

Sabine Adeyinka

Genre

School Stories

Age range(s)

Publisher

Chicken House Ltd

ISBN

9781915026217

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

11-05-2023

Synopsis

Welcome to a new term at the River School! Jummy and Caro are thrilled to be working with their Nile House friends on the school corn-planting competition. But as they try to grow the biggest crops, they realize the beautiful Shine-Shine River is running low - why, and what does it have to do with the sinister bakery nearby? The friends will have to step up if they want to save the river and its wildlife - and win the school prize in the process ...

The sequel to the critically-acclaimed Jummy at the River School, chosen as both Indie Book of the Month and Blackwell's Book of the Month. A glorious collision of old-fashioned boarding-school tropes with vibrant 1990s Nigeria. Irrepressible Jummy investigates a mystery full of laughter, environmentalism and friendship with a message of empowerment.

PRAISE FOR BOOK 1, JUMMY AT THE RIVER SCHOOL: 'Beautifully told, with powerful and emotive writing ... a joyous read filled with hope' THE SCOTSMAN 'What a joyful, vibrant story! A book for the heart' EFUA TRAORE, AUTHOR OF CHILDREN OF THE QUICKSANDS

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Reviews

It's a new term at River School and Jummy is happy to be reunited with her friends in Nile House, but they are horrified by the smell coming from the Shine Shine River. They are excited to be told that there will be a corn growing competition with a trophy for the best produce, but worried that a water shortage might threaten the canoe race. As the mystery develops, the friends decide to investigate to save their beautiful river and all its wildlife.

With all the necessary elements for a great 'school' story, Time to Shine at River School is every bit as enjoyable as its predecessor. Inter-house rivalries, making friends, dealing with the 'mean girls', lessons, teachers, competitions - it's all here. What makes these books stand out from others is their richly described Nigerian setting.

Jummy continues to be a very appealing heroine, with a strong sense of fair play and concern for others. With the newly formed press club, she is determined to discover the truth behind the water shortage, the damage being done to their beautiful Shine-Shine River and the area's wildlife, as well as solve the mystery of a spate of recent thefts at the school. There is never a dull moment at River School!

284 pages / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher