Small Wonder

Name: Small Wonder
Rating: 5 (1 reviews)

by Ross Montgomery

Interest age: 9 to 13
Reading age: 9+

Published by Walker Books

Adventure
Fantasy

About this book

Tick and his younger brother Leaf live peacefully near the shores of Ellia... until they see a fleet of invading ships on the horizon.

They must get to Kings’ Keep to warn the king in only six moons if they want to outrun the enemy. Taking their beloved horse Pebble, Tick and Leaf flee from the only life they’ve known – and from a lone Hunter who is tracking them down.

So begins a thrilling, terrifying adventure through forest, grassland, and mountains. Can they save the kingdom in time?

Fiercely exciting, with moving moments when Tick recalls his precious grandfather, this is an adventure to thrill the heart.

Pebble the horse is brave and loyal, and the dynamic between the brothers is nicely nuanced. Themes of courage, leadership and morality are explored in the story.

It should be noted that the death of a group of bandits is described, and that an army is destroyed.

About the author

Ross Montgomery started writing stories as a teenager, when he really should have been doing homework, and continued doing so at university. After graduating, he experimented with working as a pig farmer and a postman before deciding to channel these skills into teaching at a primary school. He writes his books when he should really be marking homework. His first novel, Alex, the Dog and the Unopenable Door, was published to huge critical acclaim, and was shortlisted for the Costa Book Award and the Branford Boase Award.