David Jowsey’s ‘An Eagle Amongst The Ravens’ is set in June 1940. Evacuated siblings, Robert and Peggy Cotterill, are sent to a small farming village outside Whitby with many other child evacuees. Initially mistreated by the lady they are placed with, the children are taken in by a local family who treat them as their own. As the Battle of Britain begins, a team of Nazi infiltrators are intent on stealing a long-hidden secret from local, spooky Carrion’s Wood. The mystery of Carrion’s Wood is the area’s darkest secret, and its mysterious protector remains within the shadows, a lone hermit by the name of Carrion. Anyone who awakens Carrion’s Wood does so at their own risk – so, what happens when the children get caught up in the action?
A book that bridges to adult literature, this doubles as entertainment while supporting holistic development. Core themes of growing up in wartime, friendship, bravery and adventure make this ideal for children from ten years old upwards to read by themselves or in a group. Narrative structure is superb without too much in the way of language complexity. Such a sophisticated themed story has several points for discussion and complementary learning activities, for parents and for teachers. I’d recommend this book as it encourages reading skills and builds emotional intelligence.
I award 5 stars.
Storytelling and Narrative Quality – 5 Stars Deeply engaging narrative that captures imagination brilliantly and creates lasting emotional impact.
Character Development – 5 Stars Nuanced characters who show significant personal growth. Emotionally intelligent portrayal of main characters inspire readers’ empathy.
Educational and Developmental Value – 4.5 Stars Supports holistic child development and introduces complex ideas accessibly. Educational theme encourages critical thinking.
Illustration Quality – not applicable
Emotional Resonance and Impact – 5 Stars Strong emotional resonance that encourages empathy. A lasting emotional impact, provided with nuanced emotional exploration.
