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The Invasion of Crooked Oak
Book Review
The descriptions and beautiful language really made the story come alive in my head
[This book isn’t what I would normally choose to read, but I really enjoyed this opportunity to read and review it!]
The book is a mystery story about strange occurrences in a town called Crooked Oak. The descriptions and beautiful language really made the story come alive in my head. The style is also simple and easy to read and enjoy.
I would say that this book is a highly enjoyable mystery story, with a thrilling plot. As you begin to discover what is happening in Crooked Oak, the book becomes hard to put down.
I would recommend this book to children aged between eight and ten years, but older or younger children would also enjoy it too. I particularly enjoyed the definite feeling of mystery that was still there at the end of the book.
About the Book
This sci-fi adventure story by Dan Smith for readers aged 8-10 years is dyslexia-friendly and contains graphic novel-style illustrations by Chris King in black and white.
Nancy’s parents are acting weird. Their eyes are blank and they aren’t eating or drinking. Pete and Krish are obsessed with unexplained happenings in their village. The trio start to investigate the mystery and explore a possible to connection between people’s strange behaviour and the local fracking site. The deeper they dig, the darker the story gets as they realise their community is under attack from mysterious foe…
The Invasion of Crooked Oak has an environmental twist to the story too and it is always fun to read a story where the children are more insightful than the adult characters. This a sci-fi adventure story but it is also a book about friendship and communities. Our young reviewer describes it as a fast-paced and thrilling read. It is highly original and its length makes it undaunting for reluctant readers; it is shorter than a lot of middle-grade fiction stories.
Author
Dan Smith
Dan Smith is a British author known for writing both children’s and adult fiction, as well as non-fiction. He has lived in various countries — including Sierra Leone, Sumatra and Brazil — and now resides in Newcastle with his wife and two children, drawing on his adventurous background to craft gripping stories for younger readers.
Illustrator
Chris King
Chris King is a Leeds-based British illustrator and animator known for his strong line work and narrative-driven figurative style. He studied Media Production at the University of Northumbria in Newcastle and has drawn influence from comic art icons like Akira, Beano, and Asterix.
Reviewer Profile
Margaret, 11
- Reviews: 15
- Likes: crochet, watercolour painting and fossils
- Dislikes: seafood and stir-fry
- Favourite Book: Rise and Fall of the Dinosaurs by Steve Brusatte
- Favourite Film: Star Wars - The Clone Wars
- Favourite Song: Apparition No. 12 by Thea Gilmore
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