The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet
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The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet
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The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet
This award winner is a magical book about a girl, a threat and a pickle jar filled with gold coins by the internationally bestselling and multi-award-winning author of The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! DescriptionWINNER: 2024 Indies Children's Book of the Year
SHORTLISTED: 2024 Queensland Literary Awards, Children's Book Award
'Jaclyn Moriarty is one of the most original writers we have.' Markus Zusak
The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet follows Lillian Velvet, who lives a very lonely life with her cold and remote Grandmother. That is, until her tenth birthday, when she is given a pickle jar of gold coins, along with a note with clear instructions: don't go out, don't open the door for anyone, and don't spend all your coins in one day.
What happens next seems impossible. The coins whisk Lillian away to a different time and place. There she meets a small boy in a circus about to be crushed to death; a lively family, each member in a distinctive form of mortal danger; a boy with a skateboard; and a girl who can Whisper. And a web of dangerous magic closing tight around it all.
Why is Lillian here? How is she supposed to help these new friends? And - most importantly - what happens if she fails?
An exciting tale in the magical Kingdoms and Empires world, where seemingly disparate elements are spun until all is revealed as one delicious, tantalising whole.
'Complex and clever, Lillian Velvet's adventure through time is expertly plotted and a joy to read. She's won my heart.' Reece Carter, bestselling author of A Girl Called Corpse
'A must-have for any middle grade collection with fantasy lovers, and those who enjoy the likes of Roald Dahl, Neil Gaiman, and Lemony Snicket.' School Library Journal
PRAISE FOR THE KINGDOMS AND EMPIRES BOOKS
'Charms, thrills and delights ... brilliantly evoking echoes of Diana Wynne Jones.' Garth Nix, bestselling author of the Keys to the Kingdoms series
'Brimming with bright new magic ... Just perfect.' Karen Foxlee, award-winning and bestselling author of Dragon Skin
'It's my favourite book ever. I want to put it in a glass case to look at always. 5 stars!' Daisy, age 7
'Humorous, whimsical and beguiling ... intricately and ingeniously plotted tale.' The Australian
'A middle-grade version of Terry Pratchett's Discworld - fantasy adventure steeped in humour, with a touch of satire.' Booklist (starred review)
Series: A Kingdoms and Empires Book
View allBook Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet by Jaclyn Moriarty is acclaimed for its clever and complex storytelling, with Lillian Velvet's time-travel adventures praised as expertly plotted and delightful to read. The book captivates through its enchanting world-building, offering richly developed themes of friendship and family. Reviews highlight Lillian as a charming hero, likened to beloved characters by authors such as Roald Dahl and Neil Gaiman.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781761067570
Publisher: A&U Children's
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 31 October 2023
Country: Australia
Imprint: A&U Children
Contributors:
- Illustrated by Kelly Canby
Audience: Children
DIMENSIONS
Width: 138.0mm
Height: 208.0mm
Weight: 668g
Pages: 544
About the Author
Jaclyn Moriarty is the internationally bestselling author of novels for children, young adults and sometimes slightly older adults, including the (lengthily-titled) books in the Kingdoms and Empires series: The Extremely Inconvenient Adventures of Bronte Mettlestone, The Slightly Alarming Tale of the Whispering Wars, The Stolen Prince of Cloudburst, The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar from Elsewhere, and now, The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet. Jaclyn's books have been translated into several languages, won the NSW Premier's Literary Award, the Queensland Literary Award, the Aurealis Award and named as CBCA Honour Book and Boston Globe/Hornbook Honor book. They have also been short-listed for the Prime Minister's Literary Awards, the Nebula Prize and the Russell Prize for Humour Writing for Young People. A former media and entertainment lawyer, Jaclyn grew up in Sydney, lived in the US, UK and Canada, and now lives in Sydney again. She is very fond of blueberries, chocolate and ice skating.
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