Mrs Halloway is leading the Witches Against Monsters Movement and she’s determined to capture Buster (because he’s a monster) and Polly (because she’s Buster’s friend).
With the help of Polly’s teacher, Miss Spinnaker, they find a place to hide.
But Mrs Halloway won’t stop — determined to make an example out of Polly and Buster — and everywhere they go, they put other people in danger.
Deep in the forest, monsters also gather. Sick of the way they are treated by witches and warlocks, they’re determined to change things to make their lives better.
And then there are the magic stones Polly keeps in her pocket. The stones are calling to Polly, telling her to go places she knows she’s not supposed to go.
But through all the chaos and the many challenges they face, Polly and Buster have each other. While the rest of their community draws a line between witches and monsters, Polly and Buster are best friends. They have each other’s backs and they embark on a great adventure to keep each other safe and stop the hatred spreading through their town.
This is a fantastic series for junior readers. It’s riveting, fast-paced and challenging. It will show readers the importance of standing up for the people they love and having the courage to question things.
The book is also designed with early readers in mind. Big text, generous margins and a sprinkling of illustrations to kick-start imaginations make the book so easy to read.
I also loved the ‘What Came Before Now’ section at the front. If you haven’t read book one, The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster, or you haven’t read it recently, you can quickly get up to speed on the story.
Beloved author Sally Rippin delivers something really special with The Mystery of the Magic Stones. It’s well designed, addictive and packed with adventure. But it’s also thought provoking and conveys important and powerful messages young kids (and some adults) really need to hear.
Title: Polly and Buster The Mystery of the Magic Stones
Author/Illustrator: Sally Rippin
Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont, $19.99
Publication Date: 1 June 2018
Format: Hard cover
ISBN: 9781760129026
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Fiction
