Rollercoasters The Merrybegot

by Julie Hearn

Published 1 September 2006
Nell lives with her grandmother, the local cunning woman and healer, in a seventeenth century West Country village. When one of the minister's daughter falls pregnant she and her sister attempt to conceal it by accusing Nell of putting a curse on them. Nell is alone, trapped and in mortal danger. Who can she trust? Who will save her?Themes: Witchcraft, teenage pregnancy, prejudice, health and
healingTeaching Focus:BLOriginal dual narrative structure with time shifts between narratives and a plot that keeps you guessing until the end. BLStrong characterization lends itself well to drama
activities. BLWide vocabulary used (including archaic words) provides rich sentence level work. BLThemes link to history and religious studies.BLBias and opinion feature in alternating narratives. Recommended for students in Years 8 and 9

Rowan knows he is strange. But dangerous? He didn't mean to scare his sister. In his right mind, he wouldn't hurt a fly. But there's a place he can go where they say they can fix his mind...This haunting novel about mental illness and family relationships, set at the start of the Second World War, was shortlisted for the 2010 CILIP Carnegie Medal.