YOUNG FICTION

JOE QUINN’S POLTERGEIST by David Almond Illustrated by Dave McKean (Walker £10.99, 80pp)

DaviD almonD’s brilliant books explore powerful emotions of grief and hope, the balance between the ordinary and extraordinary, reality and the supernatural in this stunning graphic story, created with longtime collaborator Dave mcKean, he draws on the death of his own baby sister, Barbara, when almond was just seven.

a young boy, Joe, tells everyone he has a poltergeist in his house, but only his friend Davie believes him because he’s felt the power himself. Joe’s bohemian mother recognises Davie’s connection to the spirit world — but is there really something mystical happening or is it all nonsense?

set against the backdrop of almond’s beloved Tyneside terraced streets, with troubled priests, footballing youths and broken families, the thoughtprovoking tale is brought vividly to life by mcKean’s powerful illustrations.

THE BOY WHO FLEW by Fleur Hitchcock

(Nosy Crow £6.99, 260pp) THis rip-roaring, dark drama unfolds as the industrial revolution approaches and impoverished young athan is helping his friend mr Chen develop inventions, including a flying machine. There’s a huge reward offered for the first person to fly two miles so, when mr Chen is brutally murdered, athan is determined to keep the plans out of evil hands.

But his truly malevolent grandmother (a marvellous creation) and weak mother conspire against him so that a mysterious enemy can exploit the chink in athan’s armour — his protective love for his handicapped little sister. rich in period detail, shocking cruelty and memorable characters, this is cracking, edge -of-your-seat stuff.

THE GREAT ANIMAL ESCAPADE by Jane Kerr

(Chicken House £6.99, 300pp) FirsT introduced to us in Kerr’s acclaimed debut The elephant Thief, maharaja the elephant and Danny, his orphaned young carer, return in this thrills-andspills victorian adventure (loosely based on real events) in which manchester’s Belle vue zoo becomes a battle ground for warring factions.

rescued from a life of crime on the streets by the zoo’s owners, Danny is rebuilding his life, but when the captive animals start to escape, the finger of suspicion points at him. Who has a motive to destroy Belle vue? and who is the mystery man who appears in Danny’s life with silken promises of an exciting future?

Great pace and the blend of fact and fiction is perfectly balanced.