Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk
This book is issued to all our new Year 7 children on a Taster Day prior to their start - this book is then used in a variety of ways across a number of subjects in the Autumn Term. So, I read this book in the summer holidays - in about three sittings! Set following the Great Depression, the characters are forced by hardship to move to the mountain, which suits Ellie and her father however Esther and her mother couldn't be further away from home. A terrible accident sets to further drive the family apart and add unwelcome pressure to their new lives. Ellie's determination to fix (what is perceived to be) her mistake creates tension within the family and pushes her mother to the brink. Ellie knows in her heart that the cure to everything can be found on the mountain and sets out to find it. Along the way she discovers a lot about herself, learns the ways of the mountain and even makes a friend or two.
With Ellie's wild nature, the mystery of Larkin, the hag who lives on the other sides and the search for a cure there is plenty to keep you busy on the mountain!
I think it is the perfect book for Year 7 and it had some great reviews from the students. The students enjoyed it so much that in our book club we have decided to read Wolf Hollow.
Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
I must start by saying that I am only a few chapters in (Chapter 4) to this book however I couldn't not mention it when writing about Echo Mountain. Wolf Hollow has been awoken by the arrival of Betty and I can't wait to see where her arrival takes us. This book promises of lies...'big lies fed by real fears' which is enough of a line to keep me reading!
Twitter
@LaurenWolfBooks - Lauren Wolk's official twitter
@LucysBookClub - my official twitter
