This is another offering from Leona Forde in the series of books about Emily Maureen McCarthy, better known to one and all as Milly. The Milly McCarthy novels are a firm favourite with my Rang 4 girls and to say they were excited to read this latest offering is an understatement.
Milly McCarthy, the eponymous heroine of the story, lives in Ballybrogin, is taught by Múinteoir Emer and Mr. Manley is the school Principal. The Wild Atlantic Antics contains the heady combination of a school inspection by the Inspector, Bean Nic Mhurchú, which leads to Milly’s class going on an overnight stay to the Kerry Gaeltacht, much to their delight and merriment!
The layout of the Milly books is very similar to the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books with black and white illustrations peppering the pages of the novel. Effective use is made of various types of fonts to emphasize words and parts of the story.
Milly’s assertion at the start of Chapter 3 that ‘Every grown up is always saying how important it is to tell the truth’ and ‘from my experience telling the truth can just as easily get you into BIG TROUBLE’ sets the scene for the antics, escapades and adventures to come.
When asked why the Milly books were such a favourite of the Rang 4 girls to read and indeed, re-read, their answer was that Milly was very real, very believable. The books are told through her eyes, in her words. Leona Forde’s depiction of Milly rings true and is an accurate depiction of a 10-year-old Irish girl!
A child in my class volunteered to read Milly McCarthy’s Wild Atlantic Antics. She had not previously read any of the other Milly books. To say she was captivated and enthralled by this book is an understatement. The book was read from cover to cover in one night and she couldn’t wait to read the others. Her review was that as well as being real and believable, the story was funny and the book was un-put-downable! Praise indeed.
The full compliment of Milly McCarthy books now resides in our class library!
Milly McCarthy’s Wild Atlantic Antics comes with the recommendation of Rang 4 girls and is a series of books that are appropriate for this age group to read, enjoy and become engrossed in!
By Karen Brogan, Enniscrone, Co. Sligo.
“Milly McCarthy’s Wild Atlantic Antics” by Leona Forde, illustrated by Karen Harte, published by Gill Books, is on sale now for €10.99 (P/B).
Disclaimer: This book was provided by the publisher, Gill Books, free of charge to Seomra Ranga for the purposes of this review.
