Jodie

by Hilary McKay

★★★★ 

Review

I knew that I would love this book from the minute I read the blurb to my class. As a crime-fiction- and mystery-lover, the idea of a horror book for children caught my attention straight away, and this book did not disappoint. 

Although this story is incredibly short (only 104 pages), Hilary McKay executed a child-friendly horror perfectly, with plenty of mystery and suspense from the early chapters. The illustrations support the story beautifully and help to transport the reader into the spooky setting. 

While there isn't much character development (unsurprisingly due to the length of the book), there are themes of loneliness, friendship and kindness that could encourage discussion among young readers. 

I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick and easy read, or for those who enjoy spooky stories and ghostly tales. 

Dive Deeper

Key information

Author: Hilary McKay

Illustrator: Keith Robinson

Release Date: 18th May 2023

Book type: Short chapter, 104 pages, paperback (dyslexia-friendly)

Reader level: Growing (content 8+)

Overview

Trapped and alone on the salt marshes, Jodie is troubled by a haunting presence in this eerily atmospheric ghost story from multi-award-winning author Hilary McKay

Jodie never wanted to come on the residential trip to the field centre. A loner at school, she’s forced into a dormitory with other girls from her class who don’t understand her and talk about her behind her back. Even though they’re not trying to be mean, Jodie feels excluded and miserable, and eventually escapes out onto the salt marshes in search of a little dog she can hear barking in the distance. But the salt marshes are dangerous and Jodie gets trapped by the incoming tide. Stuck in the sucking mud, will anyone even notice that she’s gone? And where is the little dog that keeps barking so mournfully …?

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