Godhanger by Dick King-Smith
Tags: Y6
Date: 6th January, 2010
Dick King-Smith is known for his animal stories, such as The Sheep-pig. Godhanger is another animal story, which isn’t a genre I’m particularly fond of, so I was really surprised to find I was taking this book with me wherever I went. It’s a really good story.
The setting is Godhanger wood, where a gamekeeper rules, shooting anything that moves. And then appears a huge, mysterious bird known as the Skymaster. What does this bird want? Why is he there? It’s such a great story! It’s thrilling, dark and utterly compelling, and it is superbly written.
Who should read it? It’s quite gory in places, so I’m thinking older children in Y6 upwards, perhaps boys. The darkness and mysteriousness of it might be difficult for them to appreciate but it’s still an accessible book if you are a strong reader. Actually, I think everyone over the age of eleven should read it.
