I have always admired people who read at a rapid rate when they were young. Reading Felix and the Red Rats helped me understand why they found it so pleasurable. New Zealand author James Norcliffe has weaved fantasy with a good family yarn to produce an intriguing story.
I’m liking
The first paragraph of Chapter One: Great Uncle Felix illustrates perfectly James’s award winning style of writing…
“‘But why?’ demanded Martha.
‘He’s such a weirdo,’ said Grey
I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t upset that Mum’s uncle was coming to stay. I was younger and I’d kind of liked him. He was different, sure, but there’s nothing wrong with different really.”
The conclusion
James Norcliffe, does not have to try hard make his stories relevant and popular with young readers. James great skill is that he can write simply and spin a yarn that can be enjoyed at many different levels. The intrigue he builds up ensures that many torches will be illuminating the undersides of duvets throughout New Zealand as young readers race to find out what happens to Felix and the Rats.
