Harriet (Year 2) pounced on the copy of The Midnight Gang by David Walliams when it arrived for review. "Can we read this next?" I was surpised as the book is a hefty tome and runs to nearly 500 pages. However Tony Ross's illustration on the cover obviously gripped her imagination. Harriet decided this would be her reading book for school.
The story begins with Tom arriving at the Lord Funt Hospital after being hit on the head by a cricket ball at his boarding school. Examined by a junior doctor, the questions begin and Tom can't remember at first... He is admitted to the children's ward run by the nastiest matron in the world but inhabited by a group of children with whom Tom will embark on a great adventure...
Harriet loves the way different type faces are used to emphasise words and, of course, loves the Tony Ross illustrations interspersed throughout the text. The concept of friendship is very important and Harriet was impressed by Sally, one of the poorly children and the idea of the adventures the children went on when everyone else is asleep – a huge leap from most children's dream of a midnight feast.
Some of the language is challenging for young readers – words like "intimidated" and "humiliated" had to be explained but that improves a child's vocabulary and encourages discussion.
Walliam's certainly worked his magic with this book and Harriet loved it.
PWT rating: ♥♥♥♥♥
Published by Harper Collins Children's Books, The Midnight Gang