Small Change for Stuart
Small book. Small boy. Big adventure.
Small book. Small boy. Big adventure.
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| Author: Lissa Evans Cover: Temujin Doran Format: Hardback Pub Date: 05/05/11 Price: £10.99 Publisher: Doubleday |
Actually, small is a word too...well...small to describe this story filled with action, adventure and mind-puzzling intrigue. It is a book that happily warmed the edges of my heart with its wonderful characters, contraptions and secrets.
When Stuart is uprooted to the mundane town of Beaton he thinks his life couldn’t get any more boring. But with a little help from his great-uncle Tony he is soon set on a treasure hunt to find his lost workshop and inherit all its extraordinary contents. Thanks to his oblivious but somewhat charming parents, he is able to solve the clues and edge closer to the final location. However, his actions draw attention from the nosey Kingley triplets and the menacing Jeannie. Suddenly filled with danger and obstacles, Stuart is pulled further into the mystery of his uncle’s disappearance and the curiosity at the heart of it...
From the moment I saw the beautiful cover by Temujin Doran I knew what kind of story it would be. The idea of secrets being stored away all over the town of Beaton, safe inside their little hideaways for decades was wonderful.
The characters are well drawn and I have to say a well done to Lissa for the incredible speech of Stuart’s crossword creating father. However, I never had a real sense of threat from the antagonist, Jeannie. As the reader I didn’t feel that Stuart was in any real danger when he came up against her and even when cornered I was unconvinced, or unsure, of what punishment she might inflict.
The plot was engaging and never overly simple with twists and turns that even I didn’t see coming. I particularly enjoyed moments when Stuart’s quest was interrupted by adult frivolities, highlighting his lack of control as a child, and pushing the plot into a new direction.
In comparison to other titles in the same age range Small Change for Stuart really is quite innocent, but that is what gives it its charm and classic quality. To me this is a book that will stay on the shelves of families and always avoid the spring charity donations. It is a modern classic, capturing the spirit of possibility, mixed with some Roald Dahl inspired characters and littered with riddles and fun.
When Stuart is uprooted to the mundane town of Beaton he thinks his life couldn’t get any more boring. But with a little help from his great-uncle Tony he is soon set on a treasure hunt to find his lost workshop and inherit all its extraordinary contents. Thanks to his oblivious but somewhat charming parents, he is able to solve the clues and edge closer to the final location. However, his actions draw attention from the nosey Kingley triplets and the menacing Jeannie. Suddenly filled with danger and obstacles, Stuart is pulled further into the mystery of his uncle’s disappearance and the curiosity at the heart of it...
From the moment I saw the beautiful cover by Temujin Doran I knew what kind of story it would be. The idea of secrets being stored away all over the town of Beaton, safe inside their little hideaways for decades was wonderful.
The characters are well drawn and I have to say a well done to Lissa for the incredible speech of Stuart’s crossword creating father. However, I never had a real sense of threat from the antagonist, Jeannie. As the reader I didn’t feel that Stuart was in any real danger when he came up against her and even when cornered I was unconvinced, or unsure, of what punishment she might inflict.
The plot was engaging and never overly simple with twists and turns that even I didn’t see coming. I particularly enjoyed moments when Stuart’s quest was interrupted by adult frivolities, highlighting his lack of control as a child, and pushing the plot into a new direction.
In comparison to other titles in the same age range Small Change for Stuart really is quite innocent, but that is what gives it its charm and classic quality. To me this is a book that will stay on the shelves of families and always avoid the spring charity donations. It is a modern classic, capturing the spirit of possibility, mixed with some Roald Dahl inspired characters and littered with riddles and fun.
Genre: Adventure/Fantasy/Fiction
Age Range: 7-11 years
Shortlisted: 2011 Costa Children's Book Award
Uffish: Worth buying the hardback, it'll be on your shelf a while
Rating: 7/10
