Interest Age 9+ Reading Age 8+. This is a terrific story by an author who really knows how to grab the reader’s attention and hold it. The story is based on a thrilling myth from the north east of England and is a great way to introduce readers to the world of myths and legends. The story is quite short and the words and throughout the book you’ll find some stunning graphic novel style illustrations – this style of book from the ‘reloaded’ series by Barrington Stoke has been incredibly popular in getting reluctant readers reading. This particular book is aimed at 9+ year olds but whose reading age might be a little less. That said, it can also be equally enjoyed by someone a little older who is looking for a really quick read. Readers might also enjoy The Night of the Kelpies and The Ghost of Shadow Vale.
Young Lambton’s used to getting his own way. If he wants to go fishing on a Sunday, then that’s what he’ll do, despite the old man’s warnings. But the creature he catches is evil, and threatens to curse him and his family for the rest of time. Will he manage to slay it and save the future generations of Lambtons? Thrilling myth from the north east of England.
Malachy Doyle has taken one of the oldest dragon legends of these islands and breathed new life into it with his retelling of the curse and the slaying of the worm. Young Lambton unleashes worm and curse; knights die attempting to kill worm; young Lambton kills it. Hardly complex, lacks a labyrinth, no great mythological tension. As such, Malachy Doyle has pitched his retelling where it should be – the result is a short tale divided into chapters that will have appeal to older children with a taste for history and the legendary but who are less confident readers.
Author
About Malachy Doyle
Malachy Doyle is the author of Digger and Lew, Big Pig, Teddybear Blue, Antonio on the Other Side of the World, Getting Smaller and Too Noisy, illustrated by Ed Vere.
His first teenage novel, Georgie, won the Tir na n-Og prize and his picture book, Cow, won an English Association Award for non-fiction. He also won the 2002 White Raven Award for Hungry! Hungry! He lives with his family (and his cat, dog, ducks and hens) in County Donegal, Ireland.
