Sophie Wills
Macmillan
When their miserable matron is killed in a freak accident, the children of St. Halibut's orphanage are thrilled. They bury her in the vegetable patch and completely forget about bathing, spellings or cleaning. When DEATH (Department of Education, Assimilation, Training and Health) send an inspector to check out their home, they realise they will have to outwit the adults to keep their happy new existence going. But when the inspector arrives, things quickly take a turn for the worse...
A brilliantly written book with a touch of the gothic, this debut has it all! Plucky orphans, dastardly villains, plenty of revolting moments and a very grumpy goat... Cleverly plotted and with likeable, exaggerated characters who stagger from one disaster to the next, the lively text is perfectly accompanied by David Tazzyman's instantly recognisable illustrations.
This has great shelf appeal and deserves to issue widely. Buy plenty!