Kids’ Book Review: Review: Finn and the Pen
Eleven-year-old Finn is home schooled by his foster
mother Mrs Grimshaw, together with three foster siblings. If what he is
receiving can be classed as schooling.
The terrible Grimshaws appear pillars of kindness and
charity to the community, due to maintaining friendships with people in high
places.
But they are far from that.
The foster kids are used as a source of income
through generous donations for the children’s care. In reality, they are treated with
heartless cruelty.
Finn is locked in the basement for great lengths of
time. But his resourceful nature and strong-mind has discovered ways to
really educate himself.
He has cultivated a friendship with Riya, from an
apartment opposite, via flashlight signals and notes hidden in a special place.
When Riya secretly enters a story Finn writes in a
competition and it wins, things change.
Going to receive his prize, Finn passes a
market stall and is drawn to a pen on a stand.
The magic power of the pen shifts the direction of
Finn’s life. A long adventure begins with escape, and the search for his
parents. This uncovers many deceitful actions, but also wonderful revelations.
Finn’s experiences through this journey are
building blocks towards a climactic ending.
This third book in the excellent Pen series,
follows Ruby and the Pen and Xander and the Pen.
I loved the illustrations by PJ Reece that reflect
and reinforce the dishonesty and cruelty inhabiting the Grimshaws.
This chapter book can be put down and picked up
without a loss of continuity, but readers will turn the pages quickly as it is
riveting reading.
Title: Finn and the Pen
Author: David Lawrence
Illustrator: PJ Reece with Cherie Dignam
Publisher: EK Books, $
16.99
Publication Date: 5 March 2025
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781922539960
For ages: 10 +
Type: Middle Grade Fiction
