The Governor General’s Shortlisted Novel is a spooky tale about two Irish kids who are travelling alone in the English countryside looking for work. They are orphaned and at the end of their means, but luckily get work in a crumbling manor house deep in the woods. Maybe not so lucky.
The villagers call the area sourwoods and even the kids horse doesn’t want to cross the bridge into the woods. The family seems nice enough, but the kids discover it’s the Night Gardener that they really need to fear.
This is a suspenseful read that sent my 7-year-old under the covers by chapter 2. I’d say this book is for 10 and up. It’s spooky and not exactly a heartwarming ending either.
Favourite Moment: Kip and Molly meet an old woman on the road who could be a witch. Her name is Hester Kettle and she is a storyteller who travels about trading songs for lodgings and food. She has a huge sack full of odd things, lots of advice, and meets the pair on a few occasions. Each is a rather entertaining moment in the story.
Kip pulled away. “And there’s a tree—a great big, horrible tree. Every night, the man feeds and cares for it.”
“Is that so?” The old woman was watching Kip with a look that Molly could only describe as hunger.
Molly put a hand on her brother’s shoulder, but she did not stop him. Kip hopped closer, swallowing. “You know every story there is around these parts. So tell us: Do you know one about a man and a tree?”
The woman looked at Kip and then at Molly. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
chapter 30
The Night Gardener is perfect for fans of Coraline by Neil Gaiman.