Maddy West and the Tongue Taker (Brian Falkner, illus by Donovan Bixley, Walker Books)

The latest chapter book from New Zealand-born author Brian Falkner continues in the same adventurous vein as his last, the delightful Northwood. Falkner has created another feisty young heroine for his readers: fiery-haired nine-and-a-half-year-old Maddy West. Able to speak and understand any language in the world, the extraordinarily gifted Maddy is reminiscent of Roald Dahl’s Matilda. As in Matilda, Maddy’s shallow mother isn’t so partial to her daughter’s talents and, for a quick buck, ships Maddy off to Bulgaria to translate some ancient scrolls for an Oxford professor. But the professor isn’t quite who she claims to be … What follows is a fast-paced adventure starring witches and wizards, gentle giants, extremely clever monkeys and some dark spells indeed. At times I found the many action sequences a little tiresome and convoluted, but you can’t say the pace ever slows in this rollicking story. The relationship between Maddy and her quiet but clever Japanese friend who accompanies her was my favourite part. This book should be enjoyed by both boys and girls, aged around eight to 12.

Hannah Francis is a bookseller at the Younger Sun Bookshop in Yarraville

Books+Publishing pre-publication reviews are supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.

Category: Reviews