By: Paul Stewart
Illustrated By: Chris Riddell
Hugo Pepper was rescued from polar bears and left in the care of Harvi and Sarvi Runter Tun-Tun, when he was still a baby. The reindeer hearders loved him and gave him a good home, but when he was older Hugo felt he had to find out where he came from. Following the directions of the Compass of the Heart, Hugo finds himself in Firefly Square, a part of Harbour Heights where only a few residents still remain.
In amongst the intriguing characters of Firefly Square Hugo finds out all about his family, as well as so many other wonderful stories. When he discovers that someone is trying to get his new friends thrown out of their homes, he decides to do what he can to help them. In the process he finds family and solves a mystery generations old.
The story of Hugo Pepper is a charming and quirky tale from the masters of odd inventions and abstract moments. You might think the style in which the story is told – chapters and snippets of other characters lives thrown in between the chapters of Hugo’s story – would seem disjointed, but somehow it works.
This pair of storytellers work very well together. Riddell’s distinct illustrations fit so perfectly with Stewart’s text. This book, like Corby Flood, is one of the Far Flung Adventures series and was the recipient of the Nestle Prize Silver Medal. I have to say it is deserving of it. It’s a fun and silly read that is bound to intrigue a younger reader and hopefully continue in them a passion for exploring the wondrous lands books can show us.
Publisher: Yearling (imprint of Random House Children’s Books)
Published: 05 April 2007
Format: Paperback 272 pages
Categories: Fantasy
ISBN 13: 9780440866961
Purchase: here or use Booktopia link on side of page
TheKylieVerse 
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