Badger on the Barge and Other Stories

by Janni Howker

Tells the stories of an old woman and her pet badger, a girl who wins a sketchbook, a boy's friendship with an old fisherman, a former Nazi soldier living in England, and two girls who taunt a strange old man

Genres: Short Stories, Fiction, Young Adult, Childrens

208 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1985

About the author

Janni Howker is a British author who has written several award-winning adult and children's books; she has also adapted her work for the screen. Howker has worked across the UK running creative writing workshops for adults and children, and is involved in several arts development programmes.

She lives in the north of England, where many of her books are set: most notably Martin Farrell, which tells the tale of a boy caught in the midst of the bloody feuds of the Border Reivers.

Reviews

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've gotten behind in my 1001 Children's Books readings. This book was on our list to read as a group last spring, and somehow I got off track.

Well, I'm setting that to rights; I'm back on track. I finished this book this week.

It's a small collection of short stories, and they all center on children struggling amid the widespread social problems of our time, including poverty or absence of parents or other issues. Several of the children befriend an elderly person who, despite the contrariness seemingly endemic to old age, is able to offer up many of the things the children are missing in their lives.

It's a satisfying and thoughtful read.

[Charlotte · Rating 3 out of 5]

SOME SPOILERS AHEAD.

‘Badger on the Barge’ – this story had depth and originality. Helen was a practical child whose narrative voice interestingly explored grief in a close-knit family. I found her Dad’s reaction especially fascinating. It was also nice that Miss Brady’s role in the story was staggered – it allowed Helen’s family time to evolve with each new revelation and made the plot progression feel more organic.

‘Reicker’ – I didn’t like this story. The writing was fine and there weren’t any gaping plot holes but it left me bored. I found the relationship between Martin and Sean to be of some interest but even that couldn’t offset the monotonous pace and male-heavy narrative.

‘The Egg-Man’ – a harrowing, heart-wrenching story. Everything about ‘The Egg-Man’ was spot-on. Bridget was a brat with common sense while Jane was a soft-hearted child prone to overthinking things but they were both likeable and I found their behaviour throughout to be relatable and authentic. Isaiah was a lonely, confused old man with dementia or Alzheimer's. There was no malice in his actions – only regret and pain and longing. From start to tragic finish I was on the verge of tears.

‘Jakey’ – this story was not my cup of tea at all. It wasn’t bad but it wasn’t interesting. The characters were unremarkable – I have forgotten them, in fact. I remember a weasel or a ferret and that’s all.

‘The Topiary Garden’ – I was torn between this and ‘The Egg-Man’ as my ultimate favourite. Both were insightful, raw and thought-provoking. Liz was my favourite character in the entire anthology – I pitied her, having to grow up in a solely male household, but her attitude was admirable. The motif of art as a form of expression was repeated in this story too and it was done brilliantly.

My overall opinion of this anthology was positive. Three of the five stories roused my interest and kept it roused. Ironically, both the stories I didn’t like were focused on male protagonists. I would have liked the stories to have been shorter but sometimes quality cannot be rushed.

[A F J Kernow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Badger on the Barge is an anthology of five stories about young people who meet older people and are affected in a variety of ways after meeting them. All the young people rethink their opinions of old people.
Janni Howker is an extremely skilled writer at helping readers get inside the heads of her characters in these stories. You have no doubt how the young people think and feel about the situations they encounter.
Howker’s characters, young and old are beautifully brought to life. There will be more than one whose story will stay with you.
For me, Mrs Trent and Sally Beck – star of the final story – are the standouts.
I love Janni Howker’s descriptive writing too you just feel like you are in a foggy October town or in a topiary garden in the height of summer.
I recommend this book for Key Stage Three. It’s a young adult anthology for readers aged twelve and older. There are themes and mild language that may not be appropriate for all teenagers. The stories document a time before mobile phones and social media. As such, they are a valuable resource for any teenagers curious about what life was like for their parents.

[Janette Townend]

A natural story teller Jannie's five stories took me back to growing up in the sixties with some wonderful descriptions, similes and metaphors. A delightful, sensitive very well written read which deals with growing up and understanding older generations. Gentle and heartwarming I would recommend this book to parents and teachers, although written about a less contemporary restful time it creates some useful discussion points to nurture adolescent understanding it is an excellent example of quality creative fiction and folk tale writing.

[Judith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Las historias son sencillas pero entretenidas hasta algún punto, dentro de lo que cabe cumplen con su función de historia cortas y rápidas de leer, si bien no se convertirá en tu libro favorito por lo menos te ayudara a tener una lectura para pasar el rato.

[Wendy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review is for "Badger on the Barge," as that is the only story I read out of this book.

[Stella ꨄ︎ · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, especially the first story. i enjoyed reading it and could reflect the story to my personal life. 💌

[Osman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read the first eponymous story.

This is first class writing, clear and elegant, no filler.

I found the fictive dating somewhat odd; the book was published in the mid 8os yet the style of writing and the attempted verisimilitude is something out of the fifties. ('blooming' and 'daft aporth' among the quaint expletives) I wondered if this book had been written by a pensioner (although I see by her photo I'm mistaken). It is a first book and very accomplished in tone.

Badger on the Barge (the story) moved me enormously. It's almost a unreliable narrator type (which always get to me) because the young girl hero is trying to understand her fathers distancing of her and denial of her brother after the latters death. Good characterisation of the defiant, slightly batty Miss Brady and the friendship between her and the girl is well done.

(So much better than Harry Potter)

:)

[Vivian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five short stories suitable for teens (and adults!) , with a common theme...the interactions of an older person with a younger. This book was published in 1984, by Janni Howker. I found it on a list by Daniel Hahn, of "underrated or forgotten children's books". The themes are very true to life: the loneliness of the elderly, the uncertainty of adolescence, death, identity, peer pressure, the need for community at all ages, the important contributions of one generation to another, and much more. The writing style is strong. It's a quick read, I finished it in one night. Glad I happened on this list, and will try to track down the others!

[Mathew · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had seen this recommended by Daniel Hahn and after enjoying his other recommendations decided to give it a go. It was nothing like I expected: a series of five short stories which revolve around a teenager and someone elderly. Each story asks the reader to question the perceptions that we have around the elderly but also ourselves too. This is the first Howker I have read and I think it's an absolutely pity she hasn't written more because her style of writing is engaging and moving. A wonderful collection which 'could' sit at home with some bright well-read Year 6s and above. One to discuss.

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A treat of a book. Got told about it at a conference of English teachers and had success with it with classes. I particularly enjoyed it because it captured something of the way I spent my summers in the late 60s early 70s in north Lancashire. The two lads arsing about at the start of the last story could easily have been me and friend David.

[Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

British short stories whose themes center around young adults becoming enlightened that their unkindness hurts others. The first story is about a woman who lives on a canal boat in the midlands in England. (Pay attention Michelle, Jordan, and Luke! Didn't we have a great time?)

[Raj · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a collection of short stories for children, all with the theme of relationships between old and young people. To be honest, I didn't find any of them bar the last one particularly engaging, but I get the impression that I might have got more out of it if I had read it when I was younger.

[Fern · Rating 5 out of 5]

nuanced short stories about growing pains. ranks as some of the best young adult fiction i've ever read

[fin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book of five short stories, each is about friendship between the young and the old (senior). Literary type of book, but for children.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks for sharing this, Gina! I could definitely and fondly picture the barge, after our trip there. She is a good writer. I enjoyed all the short stories.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-written literature for young adults.

[Steve · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I wanted to like, but alas, I just couldn't get into it.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

By gum this was a surprising find! Loaned to me by a friend I found this collection of short stories beautifully written.

[Taff Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great writing. the fourth story, Jakey, is especially vivid! Why did janni Howker stop writing?

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the earthy humour in these enchanting stories, which are grounded in the real world not a fantasy land.

[Debby Baumgartner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short stories involving an elderly person and young person. Set in england

[lethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Review 1995:
Beste verhaal: "De Engelse tuin".

[Elaine Reyes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historias cortas; profundas en unas, enlaza generación mayor con la actual
.