The Midnight Guardians

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I loved all of the characters so much! Col, with his stubborn determination and bravery, the Guardians and their love for Col, and Ruth: a Jewish girl from Germany, who helps Col along the way. Their friendship was one of the most heartwarming things I’ve ever read about, and their journey to save Rose—the kindness and hope they show to everyone they meet—made this book so special. I also loved learning more about Chanukah and the lesson it teaches: that a little light can sometimes be enough to defeat even the most terrifying darkness. It should be noted: I'm not one to underestimate the reading ability of children. I just really dont think that this book has been marketed to the right age group. The storyline (all about imaginary friends) and the front cover (4 characters riding on the tiger!!!) Would really appeal to younger readers, readers perhaps younger than 11 years old, and i think 11 years old would be the absolutely youngest limit for reading this book and dealing with the themes of the story. This book explores grief, magic, racism, WWII, mind control, and monsters. Brilliant! The Midnight Guardians is the perfect blend of humour, adventure and emotion. Simply beautiful." Lisa Thompson With the spirit of Narnia, but a heart of its own. The Midnight Guardians is totally enchanting. I gobbled up every word.” Aisha Bushby

The story is themed around WW2 and the blitz bombing on London creating mass destruction. I learnt that Christmas was a mess in London as tensions were high and many people had to stay away in the underground tube stations for long times to avoid being killed in the bombings. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the different events of WW2, and anyone who loves adventure books. I really enjoyed this book. It is the story about Col, who is evacuated in WW2. He goes to live in Buxton because he has lost all his family, but he meets the Guardians who are magical people and protect him. He has to travel to London to save his sister with the guardians and they also have to escape from the midwinter King who tries to take over the human world and he chases Col in his dreams. I liked this story because its very interesting and there are lots of characters that are cool. My favourite is Pendlebury. Col has a lot of difficulties on his journey so the story is always very interesting, lots of twists happen. I really recommend this book. I think you would like it if you like magic in stories or lots of twists or if you like good characters. I would not recommend this for very young children though because some bits would be scary.Great resources to help link FORTUNE’S FOOLS with Shakespeare and Romeo & Juliet in class, plus book review sheets and games! The characters are relatable, even the imaginary friends have traits you see in a lot of people. Col, although just a young boy is wise beyond his years, I think a lot of children who were living through the war were, they had to be resourceful, learn to live with death and destruction as well as being separated from their families. A tale of enchantment and friendship … a ll the warmth of a timeless story, told between friends round a winter fire … funny and true in the way all good stories are.” Thomas Taylor

I think that this fantasy novel will help children aged 9+ to greater value their own ‘Guardians’ and creativity, whilst also teaching them about the history and consequences of War - both factually, and emotionally. Alongside death, this story does cover quite sensitive topics, and so feels best suited to pupils in Year 5/6. This is a beautiful, mystical, and magical tale that brings together family, love, and friendship. The story is inviting and imaginative and I didn’t want to put it down or for it to end. It is pure escapism in a book. With the spirit of Narnia, but a heart of its own. The Midnight Guardians is totally enchanting . I gobbled up every word.” Aisha Bushby Col’s mother left when he was a baby and his older sister Rose is working in London, so can’t take care of him. When he is let down a few days before Christmas he runs off to his old family’s home where he discovers his three imaginary friends, including Mr Noakes, a Badger. Pendlebury a Tiger and King of Rogues, a knight have been waiting for him.

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Beautiful. A magical, big-hearted adventure full of wit and warmth . One of the best children's books I've read for ages." Anna James A tale of enchantment and friendship … a ll the warmth of a timeless story, told between friends round a winter fire … funny and true in the way all good stories are.\" Thomas Taylor The characters are always on the move which creates excitement as they are in a new setting with new exciting things happening and the added impact of fear with a bomb dropping creates an exhilarating atmosphere for the reader.

Spectacular . A story of real and rare power - The Midnight Guardians is one of the best books I've read in years." Kiran Millwood Hargrave Spectacular. A story of real and rare power – one of the best books I’ve read in years.” Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of THE GIRL OF INK AND STARS This book touch my deep emotion. I laugh, I cried, I smile with it. It brings me warmth and gosh! The guardians made me so emotional. I love them SO SO MUCH! I would heavily recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading as it is very interesting and has many high speed moments with a historical theme behind it.But there are darker forces at work, even than the Nazi bombings. Soon Col is pursued by the terrifying Midwinter King, who is determined to bring an eternal darkness down over everything. Rather than learn anything new from this book, it confirmed what I knew already about the war, but I did love that nearly every chapter there would be a small news article. I loved that it was in the era of WW2 because that made Rose’s Rescue and the plot and setting of the whole book comprehendible, yet amazing.