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Children's reading lists

12 magical books for Harry Potter fans

The Smoking Hourglass

Following the bestselling The Crooked Sixpence Ivy Sparrow’s thrilling adventures in Lundinor continue in the second instalment of The Uncommoners trilogy, The Smoking Hourglass.

Jennifer Bell (Author) Londoner Jennifer Bell began working in children’s books as a specialist bookseller at Foyles, Charing Cross Road – one of the world’s most famous bookstores. Here, she looked after the shop’s five not-so-deadly piranha fish as well as recommending children’s books to celebrities, royalty and even an astronaut! After having the privilege of listening to children talk about their favourite books for many years, she started writing one of her own. Jennifer came up with the idea of The Crooked Sixpence while packing for a holiday and wishing she could just disappear inside her suitcase and be there already. The magical world of Lundinor is inspired by sayings from traditional English nursery rhymes, and stories about the Cockney markets her grandparents used to visit. Karl James Mountford (Illustrator) Karl James Mountford has been drawing, painting and generally making a mess since he was a young nipper. This hasn't changed much as he's gotten older. Born in Germany and brought up in and around the UK, he now lives in the Midlands where his sketchbooks rarely get a day off.

Following Ivy Sparrow’s discoveries in The Crooked Sixpence, the adventures continue in the second instalment of The Uncommoners trilogy, The Smoking Hourglass. 
 
 As soon as Ivy and her brother Seb set foot back in the mysterious underground city of Lundinor, they know that something has changed . . . Where before there were cobbled streets, now the squares and lanes between the city’s enchanted shops are lush with spring blooms – but something dark is stirring just below the surface, and uncommon traders are uneasy. Ivy and Seb have stumbled into a plot that could condemn every uncommoner to a disastrous fate . . . With the help of Valian, their extraordinary friend – and some exceptional uncommon objects – can Ivy and Seb put a stop to the sinister Dirge’s plans?

The Crooked Sixpence

An uncommonly good and magical tale of Ivy's adventures in Lundinor, a spellbinding city underneath London where ordinary objects have amazing powers.

A fast-paced and quirky magical tale . . . Bell writes with great verve and imagination

The Crooked Sixpence moves at the speed of magic . . . peeling away the mundane surface of the world to reveal something richer and deeper. Bell's world is part Tim Burton, part J.K. Rowling . . . This is a terrific debut

Soman Chainani, author of THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD AND EVIL

This is a fast-paced and exciting adventure, featuring a Victorian-style otherworld, that will appeal to fans of the Harry Potter and Chrestomanci series . . . the book will appeal to both girls and boys. This is an extremely enjoyable read and a well-deserving addition to the magical fantasy genre

A wonderfully intriguing mystery . . . Uncommonly good!

Chris Bradford, author of THE YOUNG SAMURAI series

Weird, whacky and utterly wonderful. Go to Lundinor. You won't ever want to come back

Lots of fun, full of character, and great for the imagination

The Crooked Sixpence is a wonderful addition to our school library, and one that I can't wait to recommend

Welcome to a world where nothing is quite as it seems . . . 
 
Dive head first into the world of Lundinor in this magical adventure story for anyone with a Hogwarts-shaped hole in their life. 
 
When their grandmother Sylvie is rushed to hospital, Ivy Sparrow and her annoying big brother Seb cannot imagine what adventure lies in store. Returning to Sylvie’s house, they find it has been ransacked by unknown intruders – before a mysterious feather scratches an ominous message onto the kitchen wall. A very strange policeman turns up on the scene, determined to apprehend them . . . with a toilet brush. Ivy and Seb make their escape – only to find themselves in a completely uncommon world, where ordinary objects have amazing powers. The forces of evil are closing in fast, and Ivy and Seb must get to the bottom of a family secret . . . before it’s too late. 
 
Complete with stunning interior illustrations by cover artist Karl Mountford.

Jennifer Bell

Karl James Mountford

Jennifer Bell creates an imaginative and immersive magical world packed with great characters . . . it's a real cracker

This is an enthralling read for fans of fantasy adventure - and Karl James Mountford's fabulous illustrations help to make it extra special

After the thrilling events which concluded The Smoking Hourglass, Ivy, Seb and Valian think they've vanquished their enemies, and those of Lundinor, forever. It turns out their adventure was only just beginning . . . 
 
Ivy and Seb can't wait to join Valian for their first ever overseas uncommon adventure - they're meeting in Nubrook, the completely astonishing and totally-different-to-Ludinor trading market hidden underneath New York. But there's no time to enjoy looking round all the incredible sights - they're on a mission to find Valian's long-lost sister, Rosie. 
 
But it seems they're not the only ones looking for her. Once again the Dirge rear their terrifying heads, and it appears they're after not only Rosie, but another enormously powerful Great Uncommon Good object. But what do they want it for? And can Ivy, Seb and Valian stop them from finding it?

Jennifer Bell

Books by Jennifer Bell

Series by Jennifer Bell

THE UNCOMMONERS

Articles featuring Jennifer Bell

12 magical books for Harry Potter fans

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