Scary Mary and the Stripe Spell

Emily Rodda

Lucinda Gifford

Allen & Unwin, 2020

176pp., pbk., RRP $A14.99

9781760529857

Monty lives on a perfect island in the middle of a magical sea. Sometimes the sea throws up something interesting … and Monty goes on an amazing adventure! It sounds idyllic but when the Laughing Traveller gives Monty, Tawny and friends the startling news that Scary Mary and her pirate crew are on their way, looking for a new island to call home, their peace is shattered. What can they do? There’s no way they can hide – especially when Bunchy accidentally turns the whole island stripy with her new magic wand.

It’s going to take one of Monty’s best ideas to save them!

Emily Rodda is renowned for writing the most divine series that really engage readers – how many boys did I turn on to reading when Deltora Quest was at its peak? – and this new one has all the promise of being another winner.  It is directed at the younger, newly-independent reader and with at least two more episodes on their way, this is going to keep Miss 9 occupied over winter when she has finished her birthday books.  It is time for a new generation to be introduced to this amazing author and her timeless body of work. Perhaps it could be your recorded read-aloud to share as a bedtime story with your students. 

Here’s a sneak peek – the author reading the first chapter.