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Northwood

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Reviews

A delightful story this for primary school children

A delightful story this for primary school children

A delightful story this for primary school children who like adventure fantasy stories with a bit of a mystery.
Cecilia Undergarment is a special girl although she doesn’t understand why. She has a special skill that allows her to understand and talk to animals. She never knew her mother and grew up in a huge house that looked like a number of balloons had been thrown together.
Cecilia Undergarment has a strange and mean neighbour. He was a friendly grocer until he decided to expand his business and build a supermarket. His wife disappeared and he became thin and mean. He owns a dog called Rocky,who he neglects and this brings him in conflict with Cecilia Undergarment.
Cecilia rescues Rocky, a chase ensues in a balloon that crashlands in Northwood forest. The forest is a dark and mist covered. No-one who has entered has come out and there is a rumour that vicious black lions roam the forest. Is this true? What will become of Cecilia Undergarment and Rocky? Read it and find out.
Excellent story from one of New Zealand’s best childrens writers. Brian Falkner visits many schools and he clearly knows the type of story that will appeal to this audience. And what’s more you do not need to know how to spell rhododendron to enjoy this novel.
Bobs Book Blog
July 2011
a superb read-aloud, or a wonderful book for a child to read to themselves

a superb read-aloud, or a wonderful book for a child to read to themselves

This novel, suitable for eight-year-olds and over, by Brian Falkner and with illustrations by Donovan Bixley, is another wonderful story. The introduction begins, “This is the strange story of Miss Cecilia Undergarment and the black lions of Northwood. It is probably not true, but who really knows for sure. Your big brother or sister (if you have one), or your smart-alec cousin from Wotsamathingitown, will be sure to tell you that it’s not true at all. Which is rather like saying that I am telling you lies, because if it is not true, then it is certainly a big fat farty fib. But all I can say is that not everything is entirely what it seems.” That give a glimpse of the style, unusual, provocative, amusing and kid-friendly, and best of all, encouraging the reader to make her/his own pictures to fill the gaps left in the story. Nothing is ever quite what it seems, but the author has warned us about that. It’s an exciting story, with heroes, or heroines anyway, and villains, unexpected twists and turns and lots of inventive and imaginative writing. It is another book which would make a superb read-aloud, or a wonderful book for a child to read to themselves. Great stuff.
Malcolm - Storytime Books
August 2011
lots of charm and wit and some very delicious illustrations by Donovan Bixley.

lots of charm and wit and some very delicious illustrations by Donovan Bixley.

'This is the strange story of Cecilia Undergarment and the black lions of Northwood. It is probably not true, but who really knows for sure.' So begins Northwood by Brian Falkner, a tale of houses made out of balloons, dark forests where people go missing and a young feisty girl who is never far from hatching a plan and who has the ability to speak with animals.
Having rescued the neglected Samoyed dog called Rocky from her cruel neighbour, Mr Procter, Cecilia and her family earn his wrath as he attacks their balloon house with a bulldozer.
Cecilia's room at the top becomes detached and she and Rocky float away over the town, away from Mr Procter and directly towards the mysterious, gloomy and mist-shrouded Northwood.
The balloon crashes in the forest and Cecilia and Rocky find themselves in a land of lost people, ruled by an evil and quite podgy tyrant called King Harry. The people in this kingdom have given up ever finding a way out, others have tried and never returned, but Cecilia refuses to believe they can't escape and after a little investigating, thinks she smells a very large, podgy rat.
This is a whimsical, oldly worldy book with lots of charm and wit and some very delicious illustrations by Donovan Bixley.
Deb Abela - ABC Canberra
August 2011
Northwood is a delightful tale for 8 to 10-year-olds

Northwood is a delightful tale for 8 to 10-year-olds

Some of the best fiction for children and young adults is home-grown and although Brian Falkner now lives in Queensland, he was born and educated in Auckland, so we can still call him ours.
Northwood is a delightful tale for 8 to 10-year-olds, especially girls, as the heroine is Cecilia Undergarment, a feisty 10-year-old who loves to make plans and is brave enough to carry them through.
Cecilia plans the rescue of Rocky, a neglected dog that lives next door. Her scheme works but her daring rescue lands the pair in the middle of the scary forest of Northwood. Of course they eventually get out, after facing black lions, being imprisoned in a castle with a nasty king and making friends with twins Avery and Evan.
The plot may sound a bit old-fashioned but it works - and that's what matters.
Gillian Vine - Otago Daily Times
September 2011
It is a little like someone telling you a story when they are easily distracted

It is a little like someone telling you a story when they are easily distracted

This is the amazing (and possibly true) story of Cecilia Undergarment and her unplanned (and very dangerous) trip to the Northwood. Everyone knows that you never enter the Northwood, and those that do are never seen again. It's partly because the woods themselves are so dangerous, and because of the black lions that prowl within the shadows of the forest. Cecilia didn't mean to go there, she was only trying to help an animal in need, but what she finds in the Northwood is more than just danger - she also finds mystery, intrigue, and a few wrongs that might need to be made right.
Brian Falkner is a New Zealand author who has written some brilliantly original books for young readers, along with some excellent reads for teenagers and 'tweens. Northwood is both charming and original, and while the style of writing takes a little getting used to (it is a little like someone telling you a story when they are easily distracted), the story bounces along at a decent speed and keeps you turning the pages to find out what happens next.
It is all too easy for fantasy/adventure books to become walking cliches, but Falkner sidesteps most of them neatly to provide you with a thoroughly enjoyable read. This was fun to read and I hope there are more from Falkner written in this light and bouncy style (with some hidden depth) that makes it a great read for younger readers wanting to stretch themselves a little, and for teenagers and 'tweens who want to take a break from all the vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural reads that everyone is reading. This is a real treasure and I hope more people will try this fun and engaging book (and no Brian Falkner did not pay me to say this!).
Brilla - Random Acts of Reviewing
September 2011
One of the books of 2011

One of the books of 2011

Northwood is a thoroughly wonderful story. It is refreshing and quirky with wonderful characters, an unusual setting and a fast-paced plot. Cecilia Undergarment is our hero. She is likeable, though unremarkable except for one detail: the ability to talk to, and understand, animals. It is this ability which starts off the story's chain of events when she discovers that her neighbour Mr Proctor has been mistreating his dog Rocky. Cecilia rescues Rocky and in a fit of rage Mr Proctor bulldozes Cecilia's balloon house and she floats away, landing in the mysterious Northwood from which none who have ventured have returned.
The book begins with the narrator talking directly to the reader and its a device that works well. I was drawn into Cecilia's world immediately. Her balloon house seems entirely plausible and her rather unfortunate surname is never sniggered at. Northwood has a feel reminiscent of a fairy tale although Cecilia is not your fainting female character waiting to be saved by a prince in shining armour. Always polite and considerate, she is nevertheless strong and courageous. Humour is filtered throughout the story (the twins are marvelous). The black lions in the forest add an extra element of malevolence but they are not evil; they are lions acting as lions will.
Donovan Bixley's black-and-white illustrations add to the pleasure of reading this book and are in keeping with the nostalgic feel. The cover is a winner and will be sure to draw readers to pick up the book. It depicts Cecilia and Rocky running through the forest and the lurking black lions and hints at all the action, adventure and fantasy to be revealed.
Northwood is a book which shows that strength does not need to be brutal and respect needs to be earned. It is uplifting and never didactic. One of the books of 2011 for its originality, quirkiness and sense of wonder. I expect to see it shortlisted for many awards and highly recommend it for mid to upper primary school children.
Vicki Stanton - Buzz Words Books
October 2011

Brian Falkner

Northwood