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The Starburster Stories
The Starburster Stories
Jan 10, 2025 3:53 PM

Author:Berlie Doherty

The Starburster Stories

Follow Tam on three exciting adventures to the land of Faery - where he'll battle castle nightmares, evil creatures and mischevious fairies!

THE STARBURSTER

At first, Tam isn't at all keen on his baby sister, Blue. But with a little inventive persuasion from Great-grandpa, Tam changes his mind. One terrible night, Blue is stolen - and an ugly fairy changeling is left in her place! It falls to Tam to journey to the magical land of Faery, return the changeling and win back Blue...

THE HUMMING MACHINE

Great-grandpa Toby is making so much NOISE! And if Tam can hear the clamour coming from his humming machine, the fairies will too. Soon enough, on the night of a blue moon, Great-grandpa vanishes. Tam must venture to Faery Land once more - but what will he find when he gets there?

THE WINDSPINNER

First the fairies took Tam's little sister, Blue. Then they took his Great-grandpa Toby. Now Tam has to keep a great secret - not only is Great-grandpa still in Faery as King, but the old King of the fairies, Oban, is now in Tam's world disguised as a boy Tam's age!

At first, it's lots of fun having Oban and his magic around. He manages to charm everybody - even Tam's teacher at school. But then things start to go wrong . . .

Three enchanting stories from much-loved, Carnegie Award-winning author Berlie Doherty.

Young Corgi books are perfect for building reading confidence

Reviews

(Of The Humming Machine): The story is told with a great deal of charm

—— The School Librarian

(Of The Humming Machine): Doherty writes for children with simplicity, pace and zest, making thoroughly modern stories out of tales that have roots delicately lace in Celtic myth

—— Sunday Telegraph

(Of Deep Secret): We should treasure writers like Berlie Doherty who are incapable of writing a mediocre sentence

—— Independent

(Of The Starburster): A great story to read aloud or for new readers to tackle on their own

—— Northern Echo

(Of Deep Secret): We should treasure writers like Berlie Doherty who are incapable of writing a mediocre sentence

—— Sunday Telegraph

(Of The Humming Machine): Doherty writes for children with simplicity, pace and zest, making thoroughly modern stories out of tales that have roots delicately lace in Celtic myth

—— Christina Hardyment , Independent

I absolutely loved reading Muddle and Win. It took me right back to the books I read during my childhood. Back when children’s books were imaginative, clever and fun, and I’d devour a whole book in one go.

—— Nikki-ann , 'Notes of Life' website

Muddle and Win is a must for young readers (and maybe some of us older ones too!). It teaches a few lessons along the way but is still witty, silly, light-hearted, touching, intriguing and exciting. An excellent read for pre-teens and teens!

—— Nikki-ann , 'Notes of Life' website

I've never read a book like this before ... The author really knows how to turn a dark, deadly battle into something light-hearted and fun.

—— Jessica , Booked Up Bloggers

A fun, delightful and wacky story that’s very fast paced and full of vivid images. Dickinson has a wonderful imagination and the way he described the brain of Sally Jones and more importantly, the battle between good and evil, felt very unique. I raced through this funny and adventurous short book.

—— Kulsuma , FlutteringButterflies.com

Muddle and Win balances light and dark with satisfying complexity. A fast-paced, joke-filled opening gives way to a subtly-layered novel which questions the easy assumptions we make about ‘good’ and ‘bad’. A book that reminds us that we can all break our mould - and also that bosses everywhere are much the same (even in heaven!)

—— Booktrust

Ideal for bright readers from 9 upwards with a wicked sense of humour and an interest in fairness, this book deals with some big concepts in a light-hearted way. ... The book could work well as a discussion text in PSHE for teachers – though the kids might laugh too much!

—— K M Lockwood , Serendipity Reviews

This is a quirky, comic tale, funny and full of fun.

—— Sophie Smiley , School Librarian Journal

Said is bold enough to know that sometimes, things can get scary, and young readers need that . . . [The illustration] uses the vastness and emptiness of space as a tool, filling this negative space with the movement of lines that enhance the vastness, and both the fear and joy that comes with being alone in it . . . A beautiful and awesome mythology, . . A remarkable adventure story for any age.

—— Dork Shelf

This book kept catching my eye in bookstores . . . The writing, as well as the illustrations, bring the story to life beautifully. . . Lucky is unforgettable.

—— Books and Writers JNR

There were some genius twists that kept me guessing at the ending. There’s no way I could have ever predicted the last chapters. They were heartbreaking, yet hopeful, and so beautiful . . . HIGHLY recommended for any sci-fi fans, fantasy fans, out there - and also anybody who wants a new favourite book.

—— Books and Writers JNR

It is layered with depth and meaning right from the get go . . . These multilayered themes and ideas, reinforced by strong characterisation, make this book shine . . . The result is a touching, meaningful story for children and adults alike.

—— Barbara Melville , Interzone issue 249
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