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Joanne Owen was born in Pembrokeshire, Wales, and read Social and Political Sciences with Archaeology and Anthropology at St John's College, Cambridge. Now living in North London, Joanne has published two previous Young Adult novels. Steeped in the atmosphere of nineteenth century Prague, Puppet Master blends the magic of marionette theatre with Czech folklore and legends. Described by The Guardian as 'timeless', Puppet Master was longlisted for the Carnegie Medal and Branford Boase award and has been translated into several languages.
Her second novel, The Alchemist and the Angels is a fantastical, historical epic set in sixteenth century Prague, among the plague-ridden ghettos and decadent court of mad Emperor Rudolf. It was described by School Librarian as 'An imaginative tour de force'.
It's Martha's birthday and the village has planned a surprise party for her - but grumpy witch Griselda Gritch ruins the surprise! Not to worry - Martha's biggest birthday wish comes true when her mum and dad return from their tropical trip especially for her party. Everyone is delighted (apart from grumpy Griselda) and excited to have fun with Martha's present: the Mysterious Mask of Truth, brought back from her parents' far-flung travels. Fun, that is, until the truth starts causing everyone quite a lot of embarrassment . . .
The second in a fantastic funny younger series from Carnegie and Branford Boase long-listed author, Joanne Owen.Martha is still causing accidental mayhem in this second book in the series. She accidentally drops a nutmeg into a grow and move potion concocted by grumpy witch, Griselda Gritch . . . and mayhem unfolds, including an even-grumpier-than-Griselda-Gritch magical nutmeg lady, the village hall being accidentally knocked down by a herd of cows, and a VERY eventful and catastrophic village fete and football match.Everybody blames Martha - again!
A deliciously, wonderful read that highlights how courage, team work and a little bit of sparkle can help you overcome any difficulties. One day one her way to school Martha unwittingly releases a ghoul trapped inside a gate and meets a rather grumpy (but fabulously dressed) witch in a ditch. As the ghoul escapes and the witch runs off leaving warnings of impending doom, Martha is left scared but excited. A real, actual ghoul in Cherry Hillsbottom! But things become rather worrisome when the ghoul chases Martha and her friend Jack home from school. It isn’t long before the ghoul is causing havoc in Cherry Hillsbottom and it’s up to Martha to sort out the mess and come up with a daring plan to trap the ghastly ghoul back in the gate. But will her plan work or will the villagers believe that it’s just Martha causing more Mayhem? The magic and feel within Joanne’s writing rather reminded me of Roald Dahl. Martha is a super character with a slightly eccentric and loveable Professor Gramps who has the best pet names for her. And to top it all there are ‘paranormal polka-dot pants’! The start of what promises to be a fantastically exciting series for young readers, I can’t wait to read more stories featuring Martha Mayhem. ~ Shelley Fallows - You can also find Shelley here.
November 2014 Book of the Month Excitingly different and weirdly wonderful, this feels as though evocative tastes of Grimm’s Fairy Tales and Eastern European folklore have been vividly blended together into a modern yet completely unique tale. After the death of her grandmother, Rosie has an accident and finds herself in the curious world of the Unseen Circus, ruled over by Mother Matushka. Mother Matushka is an absolutely fascinating character; capable of being both loathsome and compassionate, she is chillingly unnerving to say the least. The storyline is based on Rosie and the impossible decision she has to make, the author cleverly reveals snippets of information to the reader, at times she leaves Rosie in the dark and you find yourself wanting to shout out a warning to her. The ending has a surprise in store making this, an already memorable, gorgeous tale, unforgettable. ~ Liz Robinson
From the author of Puppet Master, an enthralling tale of mystery, magic and alchemy Set against the vivid backdrop of 16th century Prague and the equally breathtaking Vienna, a magical, historical adventure from a talented author.
An intriguing and atmospheric mystery revolving around the magical puppets in a theatre in Old Prague. Milena loves everything about the theatre. Her father was an outstanding puppet maker and she has grown up with the magic of these special characters. But, her father dies and her mother disappears and suddenly Milena’s life is changed when she meets the dazzling Puppet Master and Zdebko and Zdenka, the threatening twins who support him. As the story unfolds so do the myths surrounding theatre and circus and Milena’s own magical legacy. A complete world is richly woven together. The Lovereading comment: This beautifully crafted debut novel, set at the turn of the twentieth century is rich in the tradition of circus, theatre and magic. Skilfully woven into the chilling tale of a charismatic puppet master, a missing heiress and a very determined heroine are some wonderfully memorable fairy and folk tales from central and eastern Europe. The vivid descriptions and gothic atmosphere which the author creates transport the reader deep into 19th century Prague, a city waiting to lay bare a myriad of secrets.
An intriguing and atmospheric mystery revolving around the magical puppets in a theatre in Old Prague. Milena loves everything about the theatre. Her father was an outstanding puppet maker and she has grown up with the magic of these special characters. But, her father dies and her mother disappears and suddenly Milena’s life is changed when she meets the dazzling Puppet Master and Zdebko and Zdenka, the threatening twins who support him. As the story unfolds so do the myths surrounding theatre and circus and Milena’s own magical legacy. A complete world is richly woven together. The Lovereading comment: This beautifully crafted debut novel, set at the turn of the twentieth century is rich in the tradition of circus, theatre and magic. Skilfully woven into the chilling tale of a charismatic puppet master, a missing heiress and a very determined heroine are some wonderfully memorable fairy and folk tales from central and eastern Europe. The vivid descriptions and gothic atmosphere which the author creates transport the reader deep into 19th century Prague, a city waiting to lay bare a myriad of secrets.
Hilarity and magic on Martha's birthday in the third book in this young series by Carnegie and Branford Boase long-listed author Joanne Owen It's Martha's birthday and the village has planned a surprise party for her - but grumpy witch Griselda Gritch ruins the surprise! Not to worry - Martha's biggest birthday wish comes true when her mum and dad return from their tropical trip especially for her party. Everyone is delighted (apart from grumpy Griselda) and excited to have fun with Martha's present: the Mysterious Mask of Truth, brought back from her parents' far-flung travels. Fun, that is, until the truth starts causing everyone quite a lot of embarrassment . . .
The second in a fantastic funny younger series from Carnegie and Branford Boase long-listed author, Joanne Owen. Martha is still causing accidental mayhem in this second book in the series. She accidentally drops a nutmeg into a grow and move potion concocted by grumpy witch, Griselda Gritch . . . and mayhem unfolds, including an even-grumpier-than-Griselda-Gritch magical nutmeg lady, the village hall being accidentally knocked down by a herd of cows, and a VERY eventful and catastrophic village fete and football match. Everybody blames Martha - again!
The second in a fantastic funny younger series from Carnegie and Branford Boase long-listed author, Joanne Owen.Martha is still causing accidental mayhem in this second book in the series. She accidentally drops a nutmeg into a "e;grow and move"e; potion concocted by grumpy witch, Griselda Gritch . . . and mayhem unfolds, including an even-grumpier-than-Griselda-Gritch magical nutmeg lady, the village hall being accidentally knocked down by a herd of cows, and a VERY eventful and catastrophic village fete and football match.Everybody blames Martha - again!
A laugh-out-loud magical story featuring witches and fun, the first in a series of three books by Carnegie and Branford Boase long-listed author, Joanne Owen. Martha Mayhem (real name Martha May) is always causing chaos! She just can't help it, somehow chaotic things just happen to her. Martha lives in the small village of Cherry Hillsbottom with her eccentric grandfather, Professor Gramps and her small pet hog Elvis. Life gets really exciting though when, on her way to school one day, she discovers a rather bedraggled-looking witch in a ditch. Griselda Gritch (the witch) tells a thrilled and alarmed Martha that she has accidentally let loose a ghastly ghoul that Griselda was trying to catch - and Martha is going to have to help her to get it back again! Griselda, though, is a rather grumpy and difficult accomplice. Can Martha, with the help of Gramps, Elvis and her best friend Jack (AKA Scrambled Egg Head), retrieve the ghoul and prove herself to Griselda? A brilliantly funny magical story, full of energy and action! With fantastic illustrations from internationally-renowned illustrator, Tony Ross.
Staying alive isn't easy in the world of the dead After an accident at her grandmother's house, Rosie is transported to a strange and sinister world populated by a cast of carnivalesque characters who reside in the Circus of the Unseen. Reigning over them is an old woman called Mother Matushka, who guards the threshold between life and death and has extraordinary powers over all around her. This is an in-between world, a bizarre and trapped existence, but Rosie is not like the others here. She seems to be hovering between the world of the living and the world of the dead, and even seems to have the power to challenge Mother Matushka. Can Rosie escape Mother Matushka's formidable rule and a world in limbo? And can she solve another mystery - one that lies at the heart of her grandmother's life?
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