The Great Hamster Massacre (Volume 1) - Softcover

Davies, Katie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1847385958 ISBN 13: 9781847385956

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK, 2010

Synopsis

A very natural and honest version of life's events from the perspective of a young girl - from her suspicions about her neighbours, to her rocky friendship with the girl next door; from the sudden death of her beloved granny to her relentless quest for a pet hamster, only to then find it mysteriously slaughtered - which kickstarts a local investigation of 'suspects'.

About this title

Review

"A flippy, fun and extremely fast-paced journey into the world of a very likable brother and sister--and their amusing family and friends. Intermittent silly pencil sketches fill the pages diary-style, creating a whimsical mood and adding comic relief.... Giggles are frequent among the kids in this book, and they will infect readers as well."
--BookPage, May 2011

"Inspired use of simple words, straightforward syntax and effective repetition make this a top pick for slow or reluctant readers...Under the plot's frothy surface lie serious depths...An auspicious debut."--Kirkus Reviews

"This British import is an interesting mix of British humor with serious issues interspersed.
Whimsical, cartoonish pen-and-ink illustrations accompany the story and help lighten the seriousness....This is the first in a series that will appeal to fans of Roald Dahl and Dick King-Smith."

--Booklist, July 1, 2011

"For young readers who can handle a bit of the macabre with their giggles, this strange little tale will be perfectly appealing."

--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, July/August 2011

"An interesting take on how children deal with grief and shock.... Anna's voice is engaging, and portrayals of various pets and neighbors (with accompanying hand-drawn side notes and cartoons) will entertain...give this dark comedy to reluctant readers, mystery lovers, and fans of narrator-illustrated fare like Jeff Kinney's "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" books or Tom Angleberger's The Strange Case of Origami Yoda (2010, both Abrams)."

--School Library Journal, September 2011

About the Author

Katie Davies was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne in 1978. She studied English and Drama at Warwick University and Acting at East 15. She has written for The Spectator and The Idler, and written and performed various sketches for Radio 4 comedy show, ONE. Her first children’s novel, THE GREAT HAMSTER MASSACRE, will be published by Simon & Schuster in 2009. Katie is currently working on her second children’s novel, THE GREAT RABBIT RESCUE, also for Simon & Schuster, and a collection of poems for and about teenage girls, set in a comprehensive school in Northumberland, where she grew up. Katie lives in North London with her husband.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's UK
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1847385958
• ISBN 13: 9781847385956
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 192
• Illustrator: Shaw Hannah