Just So Stories

Harper Collins

September 2024

• ISBN: 9780008611552
• ISBN 10: 0008611556
• Imprint: HarperCollinsChildren’sBooks
• List Price: 12.99 AUD

After the roaring success of her Pages & Co series, Anna James has kicked off an engaging new series with which I am already wholly engaged, as I’m sure will be your readers.

Everyone in Whetherwhy has magic, to a greater or lesser extent. And each person’s magic is connected to a season, which enables them to wield powers that fit that weather. For example, a person whose magic is Spring, would be able to cause seeds to sprout and grow. On rare occasions, there comes along an Enchanter. These are the most powerful of magic-creators who can control and manipulate powers from all four seasons.

When twins Juniper and Rafferty are 13, it is time for them, along with their peers, to be measured, confirm their Season, and plan their vocation. To great astonishment all round, Juniper, who really thinks she’s the only person totally without magic, is discovered to be an Enchanter. She is invited to attend the prestigious Thistledown Academy of Enchantment in Stormgrove, where she is to learn how to control her magic which is already powerful.

It is the first time the twins have been separated and both are feeling the pain of this. Juniper, because she is feeling adrift in the college and cannot understand why she doesn’t hear from Rafferty. Rafferty, because he is – to his own shame – jealous – but also he misses Juniper. He follows Juniper to the city of Stormgrove, and takes up an apprenticeship with a bookbinder.

Both begin to develop tentative friendships, and both become embroiled in a dark conspiracy involving monsters and illegal trading. The perpetrators include those whom both children trust the most.

It is completely gripping, and has a real darkness to the malefactors which those readers who appreciate a good gruesome tale will find delightful. The illustrations throughout by David Whyatt add to this high drama. The language is compelling and rich, and readers will become absorbed with the visualisations. As a side note re your language arts program, the fabulous descriptive and emotive language, and the character developments, sympathetic/unsympathetic characters, and character foils will make for very rich fodder.

This is planned to be a shorter series than Pages, apparently four books in total and I’m already looking forward to the next one.

Highly recommended for your capable readers from around 9 years up. 5 🌷🌞🍂❄️🧙‍♀️ rating.