A review by Nalini Haynes
Wednesday Weeks is struggling in school. She’s in year 6 and is terrified her teacher will fail her because whenever Wednesday is stressed her magic causes a disaster. Today she has to program her robot to navigate a maze. Computers tend to go haywire when she’s near so this is make-or-break for her.
Then Grandpa shows up. He takes her out of class to look for magic recipe ingredients in another dimension. About the time Gorgomoth, the Villainous Villain, shows up, Wednesday discovers that her best friend Alfie also, somehow, evaded Grandpa’s amnesia spell and followed them through the portal.
Then things get really interesting.
Science made fun
Knight and Burn are both science communicators, a strength that shines throughout this novel. At risk of spoilery spoilers – I’ll try not to reveal too much – the science Wednesday has struggled with at school becomes part of the solution when battling the villain. Furthermore, Wednesday and her bestie Alfie have to think logically and problem solve while Wednesday explains the difference between a Laundry Fairy (an in-joke in the service industry) and actual “real” Faeries.
As a former student who loved science fiction while not realizing that the theories I read were part of real-world science and as a mum who worked (hard) to encourage reading, I love this story so very much. Not only is it an engaging story with action, comedy and fun characters, Wednesday Weeks shows how interesting and useful science can be. If my kids were the right age still, I’d be sourcing every book ever written by these authors and every future book too.
Oh, and as an adult, it’s still a fun light read. Wednesday Weeks would be a pleasure to read with children too. Teachers and carers can read it to infant primary students then explore the science within.
The verdict
Wednesday Weeks and the Tower of Shadows is a fun action adventure with comedy romp for primary schoolers that would be a pleasure for adults to read to those too young to read for themselves. Even middle schoolers who need a light escapist read will enjoy this story.
I highly recommend!
The sequel is coming in September.
If you enjoyed this fabulous book you will also love the Willow Moss series.
Book details
Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
ISBN: 9780734420190
Imprint: Lothian Children’s Books (Hachette Australia)
Released: 2021
Format: paperback and ebook, 249 pages
Category: primary school age, fantasy, science, comedy
