(Student Review from Arshia B - Eagle Junction State School)
This story is about a normal nine-year-old girl. Normal, that is, apart from the fact that she can speak every single language in the world. My favourite part is when Maddy is asked to translate ancient scrolls that no one else can read, she can hardly wait! The day before she must translate the ancient scrolls she can barely sleep! There are also two other characters that are my personal favourite the characters are Kazuki and Ditmar. I like Kazuki, because he is shy like I used to be so I can connect to this story very well. I like Ditmar because he loses his tongue (losing his voice.) Falkner's writing style is at once easy and engaging - I loved this story so much that I borrowed a hardcopy from the local library intentionally so that I would not get bored during the summer vacation! If you are after a story that is easy to read yet action-packed, this one is for you. This story is lovely, light and lots of fun. This story is also a bit scary because she talks to a stranger. This is by far my favourite story!
Title: Maddy West and the Tongue Taker
Author: Brian Falkner
Illustrator: Donovan Bixley
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers Publication
Date: 1 September 2014
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781623700843
For ages: 8 - 12 Type:
Middle Fiction
(Kirkus Reviews)
As a “talker of tongues,” 9-year-old Maddy West has the astonishing and enviable ability to speak and read any language.
While most people are simply amazed by her ability, there are those who would like to exploit her talent. When professor Coateloch, a linguist, asks Maddy to translate ancient scrolls in an island monastery on the Black Sea, her parents see dollar signs rather than danger signs. Maddy soon finds that the professor's interest in her ability is far from academic. Thankfully, Maddy is as adept at making friends as she is at communicating. Along with her ninjalike neighbor, Kazuki, Maddy gains the help of Bulgarian wrestler Dimitar the Giant and his crafty monkey, Mr. Chester. And Maddy will need all the help she can get if she is going to defeat the professor (aka the Chocolate Witch) and thwart her plans for world domination. While Maddy's magical ability is impressive, she really shines in her normal human moments of compassion, forgiveness and acceptance. A river of cockroaches, a wild car ride and age-appropriate humor all come together in this magical adventure. Unfortunately, the rushed ending fails to address some of the deeper emotional issues.
On balance, warm and magical. (Fantasy. 8-12)
(Student Review from Arshia B - Eagle Junction State School) ▼
This story is about a normal nine-year-old girl. Normal, that is, apart from the fact that she can speak every single language in the world. My favourite part is when Maddy is asked to translate ancient scrolls that no one else can read, she can hardly wait! The day before she must translate the ancient scrolls she can barely sleep! There are also two other characters that are my personal favourite the characters are Kazuki and Ditmar. I like Kazuki, because he is shy like I used to be so I can connect to this story very well. I like Ditmar because he loses his tongue (losing his voice.) Falkner's writing style is at once easy and engaging - I loved this story so much that I borrowed a hardcopy from the local library intentionally so that I would not get bored during the summer vacation! If you are after a story that is easy to read yet action-packed, this one is for you. This story is lovely, light and lots of fun. This story is also a bit scary because she talks to a stranger. This is by far my favourite story!
Title: Maddy West and the Tongue Taker
Author: Brian Falkner
Illustrator: Donovan Bixley
Publisher: Capstone Young Readers Publication
Date: 1 September 2014
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781623700843
For ages: 8 - 12 Type:
Middle Fiction
(Kirkus Reviews) ▼
As a “talker of tongues,” 9-year-old Maddy West has the astonishing and enviable ability to speak and read any language.
While most people are simply amazed by her ability, there are those who would like to exploit her talent. When professor Coateloch, a linguist, asks Maddy to translate ancient scrolls in an island monastery on the Black Sea, her parents see dollar signs rather than danger signs. Maddy soon finds that the professor's interest in her ability is far from academic. Thankfully, Maddy is as adept at making friends as she is at communicating. Along with her ninjalike neighbor, Kazuki, Maddy gains the help of Bulgarian wrestler Dimitar the Giant and his crafty monkey, Mr. Chester. And Maddy will need all the help she can get if she is going to defeat the professor (aka the Chocolate Witch) and thwart her plans for world domination. While Maddy's magical ability is impressive, she really shines in her normal human moments of compassion, forgiveness and acceptance. A river of cockroaches, a wild car ride and age-appropriate humor all come together in this magical adventure. Unfortunately, the rushed ending fails to address some of the deeper emotional issues.
On balance, warm and magical. (Fantasy. 8-12)
