Long
Lost by Jan Mark
Published by Macmillan Children’s Books, 2002
ISBN 0 333 94996 X
Reviewed
by Shannon Library Children’s Book Club – July 2004
Things
haven’t been easy for George Bassett and his family since
the death of their father left them practically penniless, so they
cannot believe their luck when they inherit £20,000 from a
distant relative. But another surprise is in store for them in the
shape of another set of long lost relations who make contact with
them. Fearing that they might want some of the inheritance, the
Bassetts are initially wary of the Bassett-Milnes, but soon they
are all getting on like a house on fire, especially George and young
Fred Bassett-Milne. There is however one member of the Bassett-Milne
family, Bertie, who is not happy with the situation and soon reveals
himself to be both a snob and a bully. Trying to scare George, he
makes up a fantastic story about an old family curse, which supposedly
takes the form of a shadow, that affects eldest sons and results
in a terrible death. The story ends when George sees the shadow
actually following Bertie.
This
book is one of a series called Shock Shop but the group wasn’t
sure if this story would tempt them to read any of the others. The
group didn’t find the story at all scary despite what the
cover promised and felt that the ending was just left hanging there.
Some of us found the ancestry parts of the story a bit confusing.
Still, for an easy read (some of the group finished the book in
one sitting!) and some great illustrations, Long Lost was given
a 7 out of 10 rating.
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