Jess French’s previous books have been aimed at younger audiences, but all with a similar message - look after animals, take care of the environment and be conscientious about waste and material use.
Beast Lands feels like this same message wrapped up in a middle-grade fantasy tale.
That said, I think plenty of children would enjoy this story. There’s mythical creatures (a pangron, which seems to be a griffon/dragon-ish beast), an impending deadly threat (think The Nothing of the Never Ending Story) and unlikely friendships forged through a common goal.
There’s nothing particularly original in the story, and this genre is heavily saturated - but as school children are encouraged to try and read a book a week I suppose there needs to be a continual feed of new material to satisfy their reading thirst.
I can’t see it becoming the next Chronicles of Narnia or Bridge to Terebithia, but I will certainly pass onto my 10yo neighbour, I think she’ll enjoy it
Beast Lands feels like this same message wrapped up in a middle-grade fantasy tale.
That said, I think plenty of children would enjoy this story. There’s mythical creatures (a pangron, which seems to be a griffon/dragon-ish beast), an impending deadly threat (think The Nothing of the Never Ending Story) and unlikely friendships forged through a common goal.
There’s nothing particularly original in the story, and this genre is heavily saturated - but as school children are encouraged to try and read a book a week I suppose there needs to be a continual feed of new material to satisfy their reading thirst.
I can’t see it becoming the next Chronicles of Narnia or Bridge to Terebithia, but I will certainly pass onto my 10yo neighbour, I think she’ll enjoy it