Dressed in sparkly red shoes and carrying her strawberry-scented notebook, Mary-Kate is accompanying her archaeologist mother to the tranquil English countryside to investigate some interesting bones found in an old well. But once they arrive, they realise the village of Woolington is not as peaceful as it seems. Mysterious noises, earth tremors and a terrifying legend have the locals frightened.
Could there be any truth in the myth of the beastly worm who lives in the ancient well? And if so, why would it return? Mary-Kate might be anxious, but she’s not afraid to get to the bottom of this monstrous mystery.
If you’ve read Karen Foxlee’s award-winning middle-grade novels Lenny’s Book of Everything and Dragon Skin, then you’ll love The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm! It’s the first book in Foxlee’s new series, Miss Mary-Kate Martin’s Guide to Monsters, full of humour, fantasy and magical realism.
Protagonist Mary-Kate is a sweet and innocent character whose relatability stems from her worries and anxieties. Mary-Kate’s mum is a professor of archaeology, and her profession means that they’re always on the move. You’d think Mary-Kate would be used to this, but she struggles with sudden change, and their travel to England is no exception. There, Mary-Kate learns a lot about herself and how to tackle a variety of obstacles, including monsters!
Although anxious, Mary-Kate shows what it’s like to face your fears – and that doesn’t necessarily mean monsters – while staying true to yourself. I particularly liked the various methods that Mary-Kate practices to overcome her anxiety, including list-making, breathing exercises and squeezing a stress ball. I think any children who are anxious, worry about change, or are going through a transitional phase (and aren’t they all?) will relate to Mary-Kate.
The Wrath of the Woolington Wyrm caters well to children with quotes at the beginning of each chapter, foreshadowing what’s to come. There’s also a handy map of Woolington Well and lively illustrations by Freda Chiu throughout that capture the spooky tone of the novel.
This delightful junior adventure story will appeal to readers aged 6+, perfect for fans of The Travelling Bookshop or the Magnolia Moon series. With an excerpt from book #2, The Trouble with the Two-headed Hydra, at the end of book #1, I can’t wait to see where Mary-Kate’s legendary adventures take her next.
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