FROZEN BILLY - Hardcover

FINE, ANNE

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0385607695 ISBN 13: 9780385607698

Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books, 2004

Synopsis

Their parents away, brother and sister Clarrie and Will must live with their uncle Len - a ventriloquist on the Victorian music-hall stage whose dummy, Frozen Billy, gives Clarrie the creeps. Soon Will is part of the act and Clarrie is scared that Frozen Billy is taking over their family. Can she find the determination and courae to break free from their uncle help her family set off for a new lifin Australia?

About this title

Review:

Mining the myriad of rich and atmospheric story themes that spring from the colourful heyday of the old Victorian music halls, Anne Fine’s latest novel is a visual and eerily spooky treat that more than lives up her reputation as one of the country’s finest writers for children. The award-winning author of Flour Babies and Goggle-Eyes, Fine has recently been the Children’s Laureate and is consistently original and witty and entertaining in all of her work. Many a recent author of children’s books could learn a thing or two about writing and narrative by reading Fine’s extensive backlist.

Here, her story concerns the fate of brother and sister, Clarrie and Will, whose misfortunes lead them into residing with their Uncle Len. While their father is in Australia trying to secure a job and a brighter future for his family, their mother, in Ireland for a funeral, is trapped there--wrongly accused of stealing a basket of food. Len’s brilliance as a ventriloquist is matched only by his special ability to destroy his career by the consumption of beer.

Then one of Will’s seemingly perfect ideas saves the day. He suggests that he dresses up as the twin of Len’s dummy, Frozen Billy, to form a new act. Carrie is severely unnerved by Len’s life-like dummy and becomes even more so when Will’s personality begins to change and distort when their double act is a success. Carrie thinks this new stage act has the power to destroy her whole family and she must act fast to save everybody.

Fine’s unsettling narrative is different from her trademark domestic dramas--but it is equally as powerful. It’s a chilling tale, with hints of the supernatural that nevertheless has charm and excitement. And, as with all of Fine’s novels, is has the requisite happy ending. (Age 10 and over) --John McLay

Review:

" A fascinating and engaging Victorian thriller. Beautifully written, gripping and ingenious." - "The Bookseller" " This is a real treat. Her trademark humour, engaging characters and flawless prose are put to great effect in this spooky adventure." - "Teaching and Learning" "From the Trade Paperback edition."

About this edition

• Publisher: Doubleday Children's Books
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0385607695
• ISBN 13: 9780385607698
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 192