GOLDEN ACORN: Bk.1 (The Golden Acorn: The Adventures of Jack Brenin) - Softcover

Cooper, Catherine Helen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0956309305 ISBN 13: 9780956309303

Publisher: Pengridion Books, 2009

Synopsis

Jack Brenin's life changes the moment he finds a golden acorn lying in the grass. He gets caught up in an extraordinary magical adventure and enters a world he only believed existed in legend. He's sure he's been mistaken for someone else. He's neither brave nor strong so how could he possibly be 'The One' an ancient prophesy speaks about? He's no idea why he's expected to help, unsure if he wants to, or even if he can.
A family read suitable for any independent reader.

About this title

Review:

This is a work of pure fantasy, set in the village of Glasruhen, about a young boy called Jack.

One day Jack has to burrow into undergrowth to hide from bullies, and is badly scratched as a result. Quite unbidden, a woman appears who says she has ointment for nettle-rash and scratches, so Jack accompanies her to her house in the woods.
Anointed and bandaged, he leaves the amazing cottage, full of odd things and strange potions, and as he walks away, something hits him on the head... a golden acorn. Unknown to him, Jack has been chosen. Having ownership of this magic acorn gives Jack entry into a world he though existed only in myth and legend. Puzzled because he doesn't think he's special or brave or strong, and equally mystified because he doesn't know what's expected of him in the way of help, and not even sure that he wants to be involved, Jack gets caught up in an extraordinary magical adventure.
He is 'The One' - a figure mentioned in ancient prophesy, and what happens in this magical world is all, ultimately, down to Jack.

This is a charming story by an author from Wellington, with a local flavour as it is set in the Shropshire countryside, albeit with a few name changes. For example, The Wrekin becomes 'Glasruhen Hill'.
It is nicely divided into chapters, each of which would make a good bedtime read, either by children, or for children by a parent or grandparent.
There are no unnecessarily frightening bits to scare younger children and the whole book has a dreamlike quality which should appeal to the child in all of us.
A satisfyingly fat little book and well worth the modest price, this would make a super present for anyone still too young to hold a driving licence!

RATING * * * * *

Review by Sally Bunn --Shropshire Star - Shropshire Weekend-Book news and reviews with Toby Neal

From the Publisher:

If you like magic, adventure and a fast moving story you'll love this book, it has it all.
There's nothing in the story a parent or grandparent wouldn't want a child to read.
'An extraordinary magical adventure', a captivating story and memorable characters.
The Golden Acorn is the first book in the Jack Brenin series. Book 2 is due out next year. Book 1 can be read as a stand alone or as the first book in an ongoing adventure. Once you've read this book we're sure you'll want to read more about Jack Brenin and the magical 'Otherworld' he becomes involved in.
Thank you for your interest in The Golden Acorn from all of us at Pengridion Books.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pengridion Books
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0956309305
• ISBN 13: 9780956309303
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 365
• Illustrator: Cooper Ron, Cooper Catherine Helen