For as long as she can remember ten year old Ember Spark has yearned for adventure and the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of her comic book heroine Gutsy Wonder. However Ember lives in the sleepy, Scottish seaside village of Yawn where there is little in the way of excitement. Ever since her Dad left Ember has withdrawn from her old friends spending time at home with her Mum meaning that life is even more dull than previously. But then one day her teacher, the wonderful Mrs Rickety-Knees, gives Ember a rather unusual assignment and everything changes.
Abi Elphinstone has a knack of creating believable magic in her books and with kindness and understanding is able, through her adventurous stories, to encourage children to be curious and to tackle the unexpected with courage be that saving mythical beasts or coping with family break up. In Ember and Arno Whisper, the boy who accompanies Ember on the adventure, she has created characters with whom her young readers will readily empathise. Ember is gutsy and determined and Arno is more timid and thoughtful but they complement each other well and this unlikely team form a growing bond as they face daunting tasks and danger together.
There are aspects of the story that readers of Abi’s books will recognise, such as the wonderful character names and the importance of the landscape to the plot and of course the magic. Children will encounter dragons both large and small, a meringue eating unicorn, a hamster-like sidekick, and a flying bath tub plus a villain they will be willing Ember and Arno to overcome. The setting itself is based upon the author’s home in the east of Scotland and the descriptions bring the landscape to life for her readers. When animal loving Ember is recruited by Rusty Fizzbang to be an Apprentice Vet to Magical Beasts she instantly rises to the challenge. Arno, despite his initial panic has hidden depths and the two children work together to complete their mission. As the story progresses Ember, reluctantly at first, accepts the hand of friendship that Arno gently and kindly offers and he too gains from Ember’s determination and curiosity. In the author’s note readers learn that Ember is inspired by Abi Elphinstone’s own little daughter, giving the character an added appeal and relevance. Through an exciting adventure both the lead characters and the young readers learn how important true friendship is and its value in everyday life. Abi Elphinstone blends the magical, dangerous challenge Ember and Arno face with contemporary difficulties such as school room bullying and marriage breakdown in a manner that will inspire her readers with optimism and hope.
This book is a terrific introduction to a new series and I imagine many children will be keen to find out what happens to Ember and Arno from now on. Luckily the second in the series, Ember Spark and the Frost Phoenix, will follow in October. Ember Spark and The Thunder of Dragons is suitable for readers of about 8+ and will be published on 9th May by Simon and Schuster and I would like to thank Jess Dean for my proof copy.
If you would like to try another book by Abi Elphinstone I can recommend them all but would particularly draw attention to Sky Song a stand alone novel full of courage, hope and acceptance. Rumblestar is the first in the Unmapped Chronicles series and will have children searching for the magical world she has created in the manner previous generations have tried in to reach Narnia.