Title: The Crooked Sixpence (The Uncommoners)
Author: Jennifer Bell
Publisher: Corgi Children’s

Teacher review

If you’re looking for a story full of fantasy, adventure, intrigue, mystery and brilliant characters, then look no further: The Crooked Sixpence is the book for you.

Siblings Ivy and Seb find themselves flung into a strange underground world, full of whispering objects and terrifying monsters. They also have the small matter of a group of baddies out to get them. Nothing is as it seems, as they race against time to accomplish their mission…

I love the imaginativeness of this alternative world: you will never look at a yo-yo or a colander in the same way again. The story, at times, had a Neil Gaiman feel to it - an underlying darkness that you’d never expect, looking at the cover - and the underground world’s marketplace had echoes of Harry Potter’s Diagon Alley.

But Jennifer Bell has created a new and exciting magical world for the reader to explore - one that doesn’t end on the last page of this book, but carries on in the next in the series, as Ivy and Seb continue their extraordinary adventure. 

The Crooked Sixpence is a wonderful addition to our school library, and one that I can’t wait to recommend to older key stage 2 children in September. 

Anna Tomlinson is a teaching assistant and school librarian at Charnock Hall Primary School in Sheffield. She tweets as @ScoutFinch_75

Pupil reviews

This book is so descriptive and interesting that I couldn’t wait to turn the page! It’s about a girl my age whose life changes when her grandma goes to hospital, and suddenly she discovers a magical world. On her perilous journey she unlocks many family secrets. I love this adventurous story, and would definitely recommend it! 

Lucy, age 11

I think The Crooked Sixpence is a great adventure story that had me wondering what would happen next. It’s very scary in parts, especially the shape-shifting ghouls - they are disgusting and terrifying! My favourite character is Ivy, because she is brave and a hero. A brilliant, creepy and super-scary book.

Hermione, age 9

This book is very adventurous and exciting, with twists and turns throughout. It had me sitting on the edge of my seat and, just when I thought it was all over, something else breathtaking and dramatic happened. I’m so excited about the sequel! I would recommend this book to children ages 9 and above. 

Emily, age 10

I liked The Crooked Sixpence because there were lots of twists and turns, and every time I thought Ivy and Seb were safe, they came across another problem, another dangerous situation and they had to bravely fight for their lives again! I can’t wait to read the sequel to this adventurous and brilliant book. 

Grace, age 10

I enjoyed this book. I found it hard to put down. I liked all the magical objects. I found that it didn’t explain things straight away and it made me want to carry on reading to find out what happened next. 

Chloe, age 9

If you or your class would like to write a review for TES, please contact Adi Bloom on adi.bloom@tesglobal.com

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