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The Orphans of St Halibut's

By Sophie Wills
Series: The Orphans of St Halibut's
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Check link for latest rating. ( 60 ratings, 18 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Life has been perfect for the orphans of St Halibut's ever since they accidentally buried their matron. Tig, Stef, Herc, and their goat Pamela must keep their independence a secret when an Inspector arrives, threatening to send them to the dreaded Mending House. But the Inspector is not what he seems, and the children's crafty plans spiral into a spectacularly chaotic adventure. This hilarious caper blends stolen cakes, major explosions, and unforgettable characters, perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$1999
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for middle-grade readers who enjoy dark humour, clever capers, and adventurous, spooky tales. Fans of Roald Dahl, Lemony Snicket, or stories with gothic charm will find this book particularly appealing.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Unfortunate accidents, fishy villains and a very grumpy goat. Can these crafty kids outsmart the adults and save their home?

Unfortunate accidents, fishy villains and a very grumpy goat. Can these crafty kids outsmart the adults and save their home?

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! Description

Stolen cakes, major explosions and an unforgettable cast of characters - dive into The Orphans of St Halibut's, a hilarious caper from debut author Sophie Wills and million-copy bestselling illustrator, David Tazzyman. Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.

Life has been perfect ever since the orphans of St Halibut's buried their matron - don't look like that, it was an accident! Tig, Stef, Herc, and Pamela the goat just have to make sure nobody finds out they're on their own.

Discovering that an Inspector is on his way, they'll need to convince him that everything is peachy or they'll be sent to the Mending House - where badly behaved orphans go, never to return. But the Inspector is not quite what he seems and things very quickly go from bad to spectacularly out of hand.

Can these crafty kids outsmart the adults and save their home?

This book reminded me of an old fashioned film caper - a little like St Trinians meets Oliver with a twist of Matilda thrown in - Year 6 Teacher and Parent

I would recommend this book to people that like spooky, funny and adventurous stories - Reader, aged 8

Book 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?

Praised as effortlessly hilarious with an unforgettable cast, The Orphans of St Halibut's has been called a warm, funny, energetic read. Critics highlight its deliciously dark, eccentric, and clever storytelling, with a fabulously funny tale that provokes laughter out loud. The fast-paced, witty narrative and wicked twists are complemented by David Tazzyman's gloriously gothic illustrations. The book is described as middle-grade perfection, capable of making readers snort, squirm, and scream with laughter.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529013375

Publisher: Pan Macmillan

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 October 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Macmillan Children's Books

Contributors:

  • Illustrated by David Tazzyman

Audience: Children

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 25.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 272g

Pages: 304

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Series: The Orphans of St Halibut's Sophie Wills Young Adult

About the Author

Sophie Wills grew up in Chelmsford, Essex. She failed the 11+, had a weekend job at a boarding kennels where she suffered workplace bullying from a goat and nurtured a dream to have a career she could do in her pyjamas. She worked at two London publishers before finally achieving her ambition by going freelance in 2003. She entered Mumsnet's first Bedtime Story competition in 2012 and Michael Rosen picked out as a winner her story about a pig-riding sheriff. David Tazzyman is an internationally acclaimed award-winning illustrator. He worked as a commercial illustrator before falling into children's publishing in 2006, illustrating Andy Stanton's Mr Gum series which went on to win numerous awards, including the first Roald Dahl Funny Prize in 2008. Now David mainly illustrates children's picture and fiction books and lives in Leicestershire with his partner and three children.

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