In attendance

t. James the Great: apologies
Peckham Park: Elizabeth – apologies: Dave and Ellie
Oliver Goldsmith: Kelly, Michelle, Philip and Nicola– apologies: Rose

General observations

The book was generally unpopular.
William is protected by ‘the magic in the sky’ (pg 61).
Chickens: William is missing and Hennie goes off to find him.
Amber is doing a school project on pets / animals.
Meet Luke, who has no pets or friends (link to the Unicorn – granny says – ‘more chance’).
Mr Grace’s animal sanctuary is a safe, with a lovely atmosphere. It is a place for abandoned (lucky) animals. It’s ironic that Luke is abandoned and his options were (both) the care system and his granny.

Structure

‘The night of the shooting stars’ kicks off a series of events.
Luke and Amber bond over their mission to find Hennie and the Unicorn (pg52), Amber goes to Luke’s house (pg75), this becomes a regular arrangement (pg93), both their searches are resolved at the sanctuary (pg113/118).
Different narrative perspectives – non-linear narrative structure e.g. blob in field / blue car / William at the end of the book (pg102 / 91).

Hennie’s Journey

(Hennie’s journey is shorter than it appears, specially as she is back-tracking, visiting places etc. A big adventure in a small world.).
Leaves coop to find William (pg16).
Cupboard under the stairs (pg31).
Upstairs in the house (pg41).
Begins journey with Bart (pg46).
In the flower bed / garden (pg60).
New search, slone (pg64).
Sleeps in a tree by Luke’s window (pg69).
3rd journey is long and lonely (pg96).
Finds William (pg101).
Goes to the sanctuary with William (pg106).
Amber finds the chickens (pg114).
They stay at the sanctuary (pg117).

Incidences where Amber keeps missing Hennie: pg30, 39, 43, 46, 62, 71, 73 (Luke misses her), 94.

Characters

Luke seems to idealise his mother (Does he just want to get away from his nasty granny?). We only know one negative fact about her: she’s basically abandoned him.
In general, we felt that the characters were too twee, not developed as much as they could have been.
Peanut the dog is a ‘yes-man’ / (yes-dog!) He seems to have a special connection with the Unicorn (pg58).
Bart was interesting – he should eat chickens but has a love / hate relationship with Hennie.
Amber is sensitive (see themes: friendship) and untidy. She asks lots of questions (pg88).
Luke’s grandmother is horrid: she thinks he’s a ‘liar’ (pg79), a nuisance and everything is ‘too much trouble’ (pg65).

Suspense and Mystery

‘Mort’ (French for ‘death’). Different opinions: Mort is the fox (supported by a picture and ‘a sudden, vicious attack, pg70) or the personification of death. ‘Mort was a mystery’ (pg13).
Does Mort have William?
Searching: Hennie is looking for William; Luke is looking for friends (finds Amber); Luke is searching for his mother.

Themes

Friendship Amber makes Luke smile (pg52), Amber is sensitive to Luke’s feelings (pg26,78).
Quest (tri-quest – i.e. the 3 journeys Hennie makes).
Old age and death pg91/2 – life is fragile.
Loneliness.
Family: Luke’s mother has left him and he’s never met his dad (pg67), Luke has been in care.

Cover

A young child may appreciate the ‘magical’ cover. Whilst we thought that Y3+ boys may enjy the story, they might be put off by the cover. Also, the illustrations might be too Fairy Tale-like.
The line drawings are beautiful.
Captions flagged up events in the book – good to prompt discussions with children.

The Unicorn

What is the significance of the Unicorn?
He arrives on ‘The night of the shooting stars’ and goes when they are resolved.
Luke rides the unicorn at the end – despite his granny’s saying.
We felt the cover and title were misleading – children may be expecting a magical book about Unicorns.

Talking Animals

Is this a less threatening / more detached way to approach difficult / sensitive issues with children? – similar to Bradley in "A Boy…" taking to his toys? ‘Too difficult to understand’ (pg20).
‘there is more to animals than we’ll ever know’ (pg117).
Do children find the feelings, thoughts and actions of animals easy to access?
Unlike people, animals don’t answer back = a safe, non-confrontational relationship.
Children create adventures for their pets and toys – Nimmo is emulating this.

Linked Texts

The many animal stories by Dick-King Smith.
E.B. White: "Charlotte’s Web" (obviously the farm setting, as well as similar brother / sister relationships within the family) and "Stuart Little".
"Skellig" – i.e. Is Mort a fox? Is Skellig a tramp / angel?
"George’s Marvelous Medicine" – the horrible granny!

Application

Suitable for Year 3 /4 class book, if the teacher likes the book – the plot is quite simplistic but the level of vocabulary is pretty high.
PSCHE work on friendship, especially the relationship with Amber and Luke and the way in which Charlotte tries to undermine this.

Next Time

Party Rings.
Chocolate fingers.
24 variety pack of Walkers.
Louis Sachar.
Any other Young James Bond books – Charlie Higson.