By: Frances Watts
Illustrations By: Gregory Rogers
Being a kitchen girl at Flamant Castle is not where Tommy really wants to be. Tommy dreams of becoming a knight and often watches the training sessions when she should be working. When she stands up to a bully and is made Keeper of the Blades she is so excited and starts to hope that maybe her dreams can come true. Then disaster strikes, Lord Walters most valuable sword goes missing and Tommy needs to find it so she doesn’t get sent back to the kitchens.
Way cool. Sorry but that needed to be said. I love characters like Tommy who have big dreams outside the norm, stand up to those who pick on the more helpless and are open enough to accept the unusual in their lives. Tommy is all that.
This story is sure to entertain. The text is funny and appealing. Tommy is in the midst of an interesting cast that includes Lil the talking cat and ghosts that inhabit the swords she is to look after. Rogers’ illustrations bring a quirky visualisation to the story. If you are looking for something for a 7-9 year old girl who isn’t into fairies or way girly things, something with an independent and strong character, then definitely pick this up. Likewise if you want to encourage boys to read books with girl characters, and lets face even these days not enough do, then this is probably a great place to start. Can’t wait to see more of this series.
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 01 April 2012
Format: Paperback 96 pages
Categories: Fantasy
ISBN 13: 9781742377285
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