When Jinny asked for a pet guinea pig for her 10th birthday, she imagined a sweet, soft, golden-furred guinea pig that she could cuddle and care for. Instead, she came home from the pet store with Cooper, a scruffy guinea pig with an attitude who can also talk, make himself invisible, and translocate. Not what she expected at all!
Jinny and Cooper are the stars of a new junior fiction series by Tania Ingram. The stories have a paranormal edge, featuring tales of witchcraft and magic along with adventure and a large helping of humour courtesy of Cooper’s quirky personality.
The first two books see Jinny and Cooper, and Jinny’s younger brother Tyrone, trying to deal with problems that arise from magical influences in their neighbourhood. Dealing with evil witches in various guises requires courage, teamwork and Cooper’s special abilities to keep everyone safe.
The stories are fun and adventurous, however the paranormal themes may not be appropriate for sensitive younger readers. Cooper is a great character with lots of attitude whose comments and habits are sure to keep readers entertained. I particularly like the very positive relationship between Jinny and Tyrone, who share the secret of Cooper’s special abilities and work together to deal with the witches they encounter.
The first two Jinny & Cooper books are now available (My Teacher’s Big Bad Secret and Revenge of the Stone Witch). You can find out a little more about the series by watching the Jinny & Cooper book trailer.
My Teacher's Big Bad Secret (Jinny & Cooper #1)
Revenge of the Stone Witch (Jinny & Cooper #2)
Author: Tania Ingram
Illustrator: Tony Flowers
Publisher: Penguin, $14.99 RRP (each)
Publication Date: 1 February 2016
Format: Paperback
ISBN:
9780143308751
9780143308997
For ages: 8+
Type: Junior Fiction