The Midnight Hour
Benjamin Read and Laura Trinder
Chicken House, £6.99
ISBN: 9781911490906

This book is an intriguing mystery from start to finish, written with great warmth and humour. You can’t help but like the main character, Emily: she is feisty, fearless and fun. Hannah Peck’s beautiful cover entices you into a Victorian London where time stands still and monsters roam. It’s like a really good episode of Doctor Who and the imagery created would lend itself well to a screenplay.

Our review panel of Year 5 children loved it and although some found the language a little “grown-up” in places and the story slow to unfold, they were all soon hooked and keen to talk about how much they enjoyed it.

Kate Gieler is a teacher and school librarian at Glebe Primary School, Brighton

Pupil reviews

After a slow start, I really loved the book. Emily gets chased by a bear, almost arrested, nearly gets eaten by the bear and discovers a whole new magical realm full of ghosts, vampires, people with five eyes and men with beards bigger than their faces. I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes books about magic or comedy. If someone likes Harry Potter, they would certainly like this.

Patrick, age 10

I loved the mystery of this book, but the plot was a little confusing at times. Emily is my favourite character as even when she is talking to monsters, she is mouthy. I was surprised that Emily is magic, too…I thought she would be the odd one out. The story is fun and compelling and a good, challenging read.

Travis, aged 10