Description
Book SynopsisStolen cakes, major explosions and an unforgettable cast of characters – dive into The Orphans of St Halibut's, a hilarious caper from debut author Sophie Wills and million-copy bestselling illustrator, David Tazzyman. Perfect for fans of Roald Dahl and Lemony Snicket.
Life has been perfect ever since the orphans of St Halibut's buried their matron – don't look like that, it was an accident! Tig, Stef, Herc, and Pamela the goat just have to make sure nobody finds out they're on their own.
Discovering that an Inspector is on his way, they'll need to convince him that everything is peachy or they'll be sent to the Mending House – where badly behaved orphans go, never to return. But the Inspector is not quite what he seems and things very quickly go from bad to spectacularly out of hand . . .
Can these crafty kids outsmart the adults and save their home?
'This book reminded me of an old fashioned film caper – a little like St Trinians meets Oliver with a twist of Matilda thrown in' Year 6 Teacher and Parent
‘I would recommend this book to people that like spooky, funny and adventurous stories’ Reader, aged 8
Trade ReviewThe most effortlessly hilarious book I’ve read in a long time with an unforgettable cast -- Nizrana Farook, author of
The Girl Who Stole an ElephantA lovely – warm, funny, energetic – read. -- Lucy Mangan
Deliciously funny, dark, eccentric and clever -- Nicola Penfold, author of
Where the World Turns WildA fabulously funny tale of clever orphans, rambling houses, angry goats and grizzly ends . . . made me laugh out loud! -- Kirsty Applebaum, author of
The MiddlerWhat a wonderful caper . . . fantastically high-spirited and truly heartwarming story. -- Marina Hyde,
Guardian columnist
Fast-paced, witty and clever with wicked twists and turns and a brilliant bunch of characters. David Tazzyman's illustrations are spot on! -- MyBookCorner Blog
All round middle grade perfection! -- Marie Basting, author of
Princess BMXThis book will make you snort, squirm and scream with laughter! -- Dashe Roberts, author of
Sticky Pines: The Bigwoof ConspiracyDark, funny and very, very clever. With gloriously gothic artwork from David Tazzyman -- Rashmi Sirdeshpande, author of
How to be ExtraordinaryDeliciously dark and laugh-out-loud funny, I LOVE
The Orphans of St Halibut's -- Julie Pike, author of
The Last Spell BreatherA darkly delightful combination of slapstick humour and sharp satire -- Miss Cleveland, book blogger
Stupendous and hilarious! Hapless heroes, slime ball villains, and a volatile goat. Deliciously disgusting at times, and filled to the brim with Sophie's dark humour. Perfect for fans of Lemony Snicket. -- Hana Tooke, author of
The Unadoptables[A] brilliantly funny tale -- Anna Fargher, author of
The Umbrella Mouse‘There’s nothing I love more than getting stuck into a really good book featuring orphans, workhouses and wicked matrons so I LOVED
The Orphans of St Halibut’s! Plus it’s proper laugh-out-loud funny. What a treat’ -- Judith Eagle, author of
The Secret StarlingAn irreverent quirky dark and twisty middle-grade adventure perfect for Halloween -- Zoe James-Williams, drawingonbooks blog
