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JODIE
Trapped and alone on the salt marshes, Jodie is troubled by a haunting presence in thiseerily atmospheric ghost story from multi-award-winning author Hilary McKay.Jodie never wanted to come on the residential trip to the field centre. A loner at school, she's forced into adormitory with other girls from her class who don't understand her and talk about her behind her back. Eventhough they're not trying to be mean, Jodie feels excluded and miserable, and eventually escapes out onto thesalt marshes in search of a little dog she can hear barking in the distance. But the salt marshes are dangerousand Jodie gets trapped by the incoming tide. Stuck in the sucking mud, will anyone even notice that she's gone?And where is the little dog that keeps barking so mournfully …?
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First published January 1, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 8, 2023
This is different from McKay's best known works of fiction for kids -- it's shorter, has larger type, and is illustrated -- so although the subject matter is a little melancholy, it's probably meant for younger readers, than say, Saffy's Angel. Happily, McKay's storytelling magic still shines though.
May 6, 2023
I had a hard time getting into this novella because the writing just didn't capture me. I dived in blind so I wasn't expecting any magical realism or supernatural ongoings, and I can't say I enjoyed it. I wanted to know so much more about Jodie's backstory but the book offers so little.
The illustrations are a nice accompaniment to bland writing and a thin plot as I wouldn't have been able to visualise the story otherwise. There are some good themes about loneliness and friendship but again, it's all very basic.
Such a shame as Hilary McKay was one of my favourite authors when I was a teen and I don't usually have a miss from this publisher. Overall, Jodie is an imaginative and quick read but utterly forgettable. Stunning cover though!
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for the Netgalley ARC.
The illustrations are a nice accompaniment to bland writing and a thin plot as I wouldn't have been able to visualise the story otherwise. There are some good themes about loneliness and friendship but again, it's all very basic.
Such a shame as Hilary McKay was one of my favourite authors when I was a teen and I don't usually have a miss from this publisher. Overall, Jodie is an imaginative and quick read but utterly forgettable. Stunning cover though!
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for the Netgalley ARC.
April 15, 2023
Thank you so much to Barrington Stoke and Netgalley for the ebook to read and review.
Jodie is on a school field trip, feeling really alone she ventures out to find the barking dog she keeps hearing, but as the tide around her rises she finds she get stuck with no way to get out.
This was so good, it had a slight eeriness to it and the setting was so dense and the perfect setting. The salt marsh was really Interesting and with the lost truck stuck out there made the story that much more enthralling as you want to know how it got there, how Jodie is stuck there at the start and is trapped in it got me hooked on the story instantly.
Jodie was such a captivating protagonist to me, the quite but serious ones always get to me the most. She was such a quiet and forgotten character, but she was there just listening knowing everything, observing more of what was happening. She didn’t want to feel alone but her loneliness lead to something more unique and an eerie adventure for her and only her happens.
I loved the illustrations Keith Robinson is always one of my favourite illustrators he has such a unique design, one that always stands out, especially in an eerie haunted book, they are just so stunning and perfectly encaptures the setting, making it even more eerie as you go through the pages.
I absolutely loved this book, it was such an incredible eerie read, the characters were all so fascinating, so realistic, I really loved the progression of the story and the setting just made it even more perfect. I highly recommend this book, it will grip you, you’ll be so intrigued and so hooked and wanting to know more.
Jodie is on a school field trip, feeling really alone she ventures out to find the barking dog she keeps hearing, but as the tide around her rises she finds she get stuck with no way to get out.
This was so good, it had a slight eeriness to it and the setting was so dense and the perfect setting. The salt marsh was really Interesting and with the lost truck stuck out there made the story that much more enthralling as you want to know how it got there, how Jodie is stuck there at the start and is trapped in it got me hooked on the story instantly.
Jodie was such a captivating protagonist to me, the quite but serious ones always get to me the most. She was such a quiet and forgotten character, but she was there just listening knowing everything, observing more of what was happening. She didn’t want to feel alone but her loneliness lead to something more unique and an eerie adventure for her and only her happens.
I loved the illustrations Keith Robinson is always one of my favourite illustrators he has such a unique design, one that always stands out, especially in an eerie haunted book, they are just so stunning and perfectly encaptures the setting, making it even more eerie as you go through the pages.
I absolutely loved this book, it was such an incredible eerie read, the characters were all so fascinating, so realistic, I really loved the progression of the story and the setting just made it even more perfect. I highly recommend this book, it will grip you, you’ll be so intrigued and so hooked and wanting to know more.
January 30, 2024
4 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💌🧸☕️- it was more of a story then a book in my opinion but i really enjoyed it as it wasn't too challenging and is a nice break in between large novels!
💌🧸☕️- i would not have usually picked it up from the bookshelf but i am glad that i did it was very refreshing but definitely a book to find in the library and not to buy as it would not last long enough to be worth the money!!
💌🧸☕️- it was more of a story then a book in my opinion but i really enjoyed it as it wasn't too challenging and is a nice break in between large novels!
💌🧸☕️- i would not have usually picked it up from the bookshelf but i am glad that i did it was very refreshing but definitely a book to find in the library and not to buy as it would not last long enough to be worth the money!!
October 29, 2025
I’m clearly not the target audience for this. I went completely blind and had no expectations but I still find this story didn’t stick with me.
December 20, 2023
A haunting but poignant tale of lost souls finding freedom and the importance of friendships and finding your people.
April 29, 2023
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for an Advance Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From the author of historical children’s novels The Skylarks’ War and the Swallows’ Flight, Hilary McKay’s new children’s book Jodie follows a quiet, displaced girl on a residential field trip to a haunted salt marsh. Aside from the grey landscape and eeriness of the setting, another thing puts her on edge: the little dog barking, that nobody else seems to hear.
This book is so good at showing rather than telling – nothing is ever spoonfed to the reader. McKay doesn’t waste time with bundles of exposition, the repetitive chapters common to some children’s books about the character’s friends and family and ‘normal’ life. Instead the reader is thrust straight into the mystery within the first couple of pages. The author has achieved that rare thing of leaving readers on an early cliffhanger and then contextualising it without making you too impatient in the meantime.
The scene-setting of this book is also magnificent. Jodie describes ‘Watery mud, reflecting the sky. Ancient mud. Mud split into jigsaw-puzzle pieces by creeks filled with water.’ There are lines like this throughout, so visual and evocative that one can’t help but feel as if they’re there with her. A chill goes up the spine at the image of this cold, grey, mirror landscape, part saltwater and part mud. You can hear the barking across the marsh, feel the whipping of the wind and the songs of the marsh birds. You instinctively want to get out and yet never want to leave. This is all brought further to life by Keith Robinson’s lush illustrations – even in greyscale they help even more to picture the scenes.
Speaking of grey, another strength of this book is that the characters all occupy a grey area – nobody is fully good or bad. Sometimes those you thought were bad turn out to be good – sometimes those who think they’re being helpful aren’t. Many of the grownups in Jodie mean well but are ignoring what Jodie needs – and many of the other girls seem unwelcoming, but in fact all have their own quirks. Rather than falling into the trap of making Jodie’s peers perfect and popular in comparison to her, they’re all unique and are not villainised needlessly. This book portrays its friendship dynamics well – it feels realistic to the social landscape of a girl Jodie’s age, who isn’t sure how to navigate people and who often just wants to be left alone, even by too-helpful grownups.
It is a difficult thing to write a ghost story for an audience of this age without being underwhelming or overly frightening, but McKay has definitely hit the sweet spot here. Jodie is published by Barrington Stoke in digital format (4 May) and print (18 May). As with their other titles, it is printed in a dyslexia-friendly font with visually accessible layouts.
From the author of historical children’s novels The Skylarks’ War and the Swallows’ Flight, Hilary McKay’s new children’s book Jodie follows a quiet, displaced girl on a residential field trip to a haunted salt marsh. Aside from the grey landscape and eeriness of the setting, another thing puts her on edge: the little dog barking, that nobody else seems to hear.
This book is so good at showing rather than telling – nothing is ever spoonfed to the reader. McKay doesn’t waste time with bundles of exposition, the repetitive chapters common to some children’s books about the character’s friends and family and ‘normal’ life. Instead the reader is thrust straight into the mystery within the first couple of pages. The author has achieved that rare thing of leaving readers on an early cliffhanger and then contextualising it without making you too impatient in the meantime.
The scene-setting of this book is also magnificent. Jodie describes ‘Watery mud, reflecting the sky. Ancient mud. Mud split into jigsaw-puzzle pieces by creeks filled with water.’ There are lines like this throughout, so visual and evocative that one can’t help but feel as if they’re there with her. A chill goes up the spine at the image of this cold, grey, mirror landscape, part saltwater and part mud. You can hear the barking across the marsh, feel the whipping of the wind and the songs of the marsh birds. You instinctively want to get out and yet never want to leave. This is all brought further to life by Keith Robinson’s lush illustrations – even in greyscale they help even more to picture the scenes.
Speaking of grey, another strength of this book is that the characters all occupy a grey area – nobody is fully good or bad. Sometimes those you thought were bad turn out to be good – sometimes those who think they’re being helpful aren’t. Many of the grownups in Jodie mean well but are ignoring what Jodie needs – and many of the other girls seem unwelcoming, but in fact all have their own quirks. Rather than falling into the trap of making Jodie’s peers perfect and popular in comparison to her, they’re all unique and are not villainised needlessly. This book portrays its friendship dynamics well – it feels realistic to the social landscape of a girl Jodie’s age, who isn’t sure how to navigate people and who often just wants to be left alone, even by too-helpful grownups.
It is a difficult thing to write a ghost story for an audience of this age without being underwhelming or overly frightening, but McKay has definitely hit the sweet spot here. Jodie is published by Barrington Stoke in digital format (4 May) and print (18 May). As with their other titles, it is printed in a dyslexia-friendly font with visually accessible layouts.
December 30, 2024
This is a brilliant and haunting story. Jodie doesn’t talk to anyone at school and has been a loner ever since she started at her new school. The only person she will talk to is her teacher Mrs Nolan. When the class have to go away for a few days on a field trip, Mrs Nolan reassures Jodie that she’ll be there. But on the day of the field trip Jodie finds out that Mrs Nolan has an accident and can’t be there, instead she finds herself completely alone, unable to talk to anyone.
This is an interesting story which begins with Jodie narrating the story as she trapped out on the salt marshes with the tide rising. It then continues by going back to what happened before and the events that led up to this. I enjoyed this story from the start especially as it’s narrated by Jodie who is an interesting character. As Jodie and her class arrive at the field centre it’s clear that Jodie isn’t happy to be there. She’s very distant from the other kids and we do find out through a short back story, a little about why this is. As the others enjoy the trip, chatting together and taking part in the activities while there, Jodie decides to get away from everyone and runs away into areas she’s not supposed to go to, despite the rules telling her not to.
When outside Jodie soon hears the barking of a dog somewhere on the salt marshes and also sees an lady standing nearby. As the story moves on we see more of how seperate Jodie is from the other girls she shares a room with and more of the haunting dog barking that Jodie eventually decides she’s going to rescue. The atmosphere in this story is good, there’s an eerieness to the salt marshes with the dog that’s always barking but can’t be seen. There’s also a feeling of loneliness with Jodie’s character which I honestly could relate to from my own school days but I love how despite how lonely Jodie feels, this story has an ultimately uplifting ending, if a little bit spooky even at the end!
The ending is really good and I love what happens with Jodie, the other girls and that seal. I don’t want to spoil it by saying what happens but it’s a great ending for all of the characters, especially that spooky last part of the story. The illustrations in this book are really good. A mix of black, white and grey they are dotted on some pages throughout the story, and I love how they show the haunting atmosphere of the story well as well as Jodie’s feelings of loneliness too. The book is dyslexia friendly which means that it has a special font used for the text, a larger font size, separated paragraphs and thick pages with a yellow colour to them making it easier to look at. The book is also under 100 pages long making it a good and easier read for reluctant readers too.
Overall this is a brilliant story with a haunting atmosphere and a real eerieness and loneliness to it in parts. It’s definitely a great story though for anyone, especially if you like more eerie tales or if you’ve ever felt a bit lonely like Jodie does, as the story does have a good ending for all.
-Thanks to Barrington Stoke for a free copy.
This is an interesting story which begins with Jodie narrating the story as she trapped out on the salt marshes with the tide rising. It then continues by going back to what happened before and the events that led up to this. I enjoyed this story from the start especially as it’s narrated by Jodie who is an interesting character. As Jodie and her class arrive at the field centre it’s clear that Jodie isn’t happy to be there. She’s very distant from the other kids and we do find out through a short back story, a little about why this is. As the others enjoy the trip, chatting together and taking part in the activities while there, Jodie decides to get away from everyone and runs away into areas she’s not supposed to go to, despite the rules telling her not to.
When outside Jodie soon hears the barking of a dog somewhere on the salt marshes and also sees an lady standing nearby. As the story moves on we see more of how seperate Jodie is from the other girls she shares a room with and more of the haunting dog barking that Jodie eventually decides she’s going to rescue. The atmosphere in this story is good, there’s an eerieness to the salt marshes with the dog that’s always barking but can’t be seen. There’s also a feeling of loneliness with Jodie’s character which I honestly could relate to from my own school days but I love how despite how lonely Jodie feels, this story has an ultimately uplifting ending, if a little bit spooky even at the end!
The ending is really good and I love what happens with Jodie, the other girls and that seal. I don’t want to spoil it by saying what happens but it’s a great ending for all of the characters, especially that spooky last part of the story. The illustrations in this book are really good. A mix of black, white and grey they are dotted on some pages throughout the story, and I love how they show the haunting atmosphere of the story well as well as Jodie’s feelings of loneliness too. The book is dyslexia friendly which means that it has a special font used for the text, a larger font size, separated paragraphs and thick pages with a yellow colour to them making it easier to look at. The book is also under 100 pages long making it a good and easier read for reluctant readers too.
Overall this is a brilliant story with a haunting atmosphere and a real eerieness and loneliness to it in parts. It’s definitely a great story though for anyone, especially if you like more eerie tales or if you’ve ever felt a bit lonely like Jodie does, as the story does have a good ending for all.
-Thanks to Barrington Stoke for a free copy.
April 15, 2023
'Jodie' is a brilliantly atmospheric ghost story for older primary and younger secondary readers. Jodie begins the story by telling us that she is on her own in an abandoned pick-up truck in the middle of a saltmarsh creek. She is on a residential field trip and has gone off by herself, and is now trapped. We then learn more about how Jodie has ended up in this predicament - feeling isolated in her new school, meeting a mysterious old lady and hearing a dog barking - but McKay keeps us guessing to see if Jodie will be rescued and how.
Like all Barrington Stoke books, this a short but compelling read, designed to be accessible to less confident readers but engaging for all. As well as giving us a suspenseful ghost story, McKay explores young people's experiences and insecurities in a sensitive and nuanced way: for instance, Jodie's brother has been sent to prison and her family have had to use food banks, and another girl in her dormitory still wets the bed but this is something that is accepted and understood by her friends. I really liked Jodie's narrative voice as it gives us a perspective that is not often heard - a child who doesn't talk much but listens a lot. The conclusion is sweet and quietly moving without being overly sentimental, showing how children can move from thoughtlessness to kindness.
Keith Robinson's deceptively simple and eerily evocative illustrations also deserve recognition as they reinforce the haunting feel of this story. This is a great addition to Barrington Stoke's catalogue and will be enjoyed by lots of young - and older - readers. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an ARC to review.
Like all Barrington Stoke books, this a short but compelling read, designed to be accessible to less confident readers but engaging for all. As well as giving us a suspenseful ghost story, McKay explores young people's experiences and insecurities in a sensitive and nuanced way: for instance, Jodie's brother has been sent to prison and her family have had to use food banks, and another girl in her dormitory still wets the bed but this is something that is accepted and understood by her friends. I really liked Jodie's narrative voice as it gives us a perspective that is not often heard - a child who doesn't talk much but listens a lot. The conclusion is sweet and quietly moving without being overly sentimental, showing how children can move from thoughtlessness to kindness.
Keith Robinson's deceptively simple and eerily evocative illustrations also deserve recognition as they reinforce the haunting feel of this story. This is a great addition to Barrington Stoke's catalogue and will be enjoyed by lots of young - and older - readers. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for sending me an ARC to review.
April 12, 2023
Sometimes it is what is not said in a story that has the most impact and poignancy. Hilary McKay tells the story of Jodie who having moved to a new town and school now finds herself at a residential school centre close to field marshes. Jodie prefers to be alone and goes walking; she meets a curious elderly lady who appears to be searching for her dog. Not long after Jodie hears the dog and sets off to track it down but soon discovers it is trapped within half sunken pickup truck in the marshes. Her attempt to rescue the dog reveal to her that all is not as it seems. Also unaware to her, some of her school friends - who she doesn’t feel connected to- realise that Jodie is in danger, This is a story of loneliness, listening and trying to find a place to fit in with…. and ultimately how friendship can appear when least expected. This is a short novel but Hilary McKay takes us into Jodie’s world and reveals the struggles and depth of Jodie’s feelings and need to be alone. Keith Robinson’s illustrations provide heightened awareness, sensitivity and beauty of the landscape and Jodie’s emotions. This is a perfect independent read for 9-12 or a wonderful short class read that will open up lots of discussion. Another winning book from Hilary McKay
May 16, 2023
Troubled Jodie doesn't have any friends at her new school after they have moved across the country due to some family trouble. She prefers to be alone, doesn't interact with others and would prefer to be at home but she has to endure a school residential trip to a centre on the salt marshes. She can hear a dog barking and there are rumours the marshes are haunted. An atmospheric ghost story which is challenging in his themes but accessible for so many readers due to its length. Readers fet a true ghost story here and what I also enjoyed was the relationship between the girls and how it developed. Beautiful illustrations too by Keith Robinson which perfectly matches the atmosphere in the story. Absolutely loved it.
September 3, 2025
I'm always happy to give Hilary McKay a go but this was an odd one. The titular character wasn't super-relatable as the story doesn't focus on the details of her home life and how come she's so depressed and rude to everyone, we're just sort of expected to roll with it. The age bracket is also a bit confusing - it says middle grade and the format and style (large font, simple sentences) seem targeted to younger readers, but I couldn't get a good read on how old the characters were meant to be. Some of their behaviours read really young, as in eight-year-olds, but some of it reads like young teenagers. It was odd.
The illustrations are beautiful and the mournful atmosphere is quite strong, I just couldn't quite warm to the ghost plot or the characters.
The illustrations are beautiful and the mournful atmosphere is quite strong, I just couldn't quite warm to the ghost plot or the characters.
April 15, 2023
Not yet used to her new school, Jodie feels excluded and miserable when her class goes on a field strip and she's forced to share a dormitory with other girls.
The pull of being alone on the salt marshes is strong. And where is the little dog that keeps barking so mournfully…? But the marshes are dangerous. Would anyone notice if Jodie got into trouble?
'Jodie' is a gentle and beautiful story about feeling alone and having the courage to speak (Jodie is a listener) to connect with others. The setting of the eerie salt marshes is perfect for the spooky feel of the story and breathtakingly illustrated by Keith Robinson.
The pull of being alone on the salt marshes is strong. And where is the little dog that keeps barking so mournfully…? But the marshes are dangerous. Would anyone notice if Jodie got into trouble?
'Jodie' is a gentle and beautiful story about feeling alone and having the courage to speak (Jodie is a listener) to connect with others. The setting of the eerie salt marshes is perfect for the spooky feel of the story and breathtakingly illustrated by Keith Robinson.
May 2, 2023
Another lovely Barrington Stokes middle grade novel. Thanks to them and NetGalley for this e-arc.
High interest and low reading ability, this is a lovely story of Jodie whose life is a maelstrom of change and upheaval. She’s in a new school and is at sleep away camp and the noise and constant people becomes too much for her.
It’s only after being rescued from an adventure that she realises that like her most of the girls in her group are struggling with a variety of challenges and her world opens up to possibilities rather than being closed off by fear.
Gorgeously written and beautifully told - Hilary McKay has done it again
High interest and low reading ability, this is a lovely story of Jodie whose life is a maelstrom of change and upheaval. She’s in a new school and is at sleep away camp and the noise and constant people becomes too much for her.
It’s only after being rescued from an adventure that she realises that like her most of the girls in her group are struggling with a variety of challenges and her world opens up to possibilities rather than being closed off by fear.
Gorgeously written and beautifully told - Hilary McKay has done it again
June 5, 2023
I really enjoyed Jodie. It's spooky and atmospheric with teenage angst. Does anyone feel right about themselves.
Feeling like a real outsider, Jodie keeps herself well and truly to herself. As she faces pushing outside her limits, she finds herself in a school residential. Sharing a room with others she sees they are all very different, have their quirks but gel together. Still pushing herself.away she faces her difference; speaking to ghost and gets herself in a jam. Yet its those other girls who save the day and show her she can belong.
Feeling like a real outsider, Jodie keeps herself well and truly to herself. As she faces pushing outside her limits, she finds herself in a school residential. Sharing a room with others she sees they are all very different, have their quirks but gel together. Still pushing herself.away she faces her difference; speaking to ghost and gets herself in a jam. Yet its those other girls who save the day and show her she can belong.
May 1, 2023
Hilary McKay made my grandchildren cry (and me too) but they were happy tears. We adored this short book. We read it after Sunday lunch and it was magical. The story of a sad girl whose family have had a very difficult time and she is struggling with the trauma. An adventure leads to true friendship, we loved it.
June 3, 2024
A book by publisher Barrington Stoke, with dyslexia-friendly font and paper colour, and is short, interesting read.
This is a ghost story, and about a lonely girl away on a school trip. She doesn't obey when told not to go out alone. Out there on the marshes she hears a dog barking.
I enjoyed this book. It didn't take long to read and I wanted to finish it.
For years 5, 6 and above.
This is a ghost story, and about a lonely girl away on a school trip. She doesn't obey when told not to go out alone. Out there on the marshes she hears a dog barking.
I enjoyed this book. It didn't take long to read and I wanted to finish it.
For years 5, 6 and above.
September 22, 2023
3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 24, 2023
Barrington Stoke do it again!
A first class short novel, a ghost story - by Hilary McKay.
I really enjoyed it.. a girl with issues and spooky goings on on a school trip.
What more could you want?
A first class short novel, a ghost story - by Hilary McKay.
I really enjoyed it.. a girl with issues and spooky goings on on a school trip.
What more could you want?
May 25, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
August 19, 2024
it begins, reading books for school's book clubs
December 18, 2024
Boring!
July 17, 2023
I read this as a preview copy on my Kindle, but I assume as it's Barrington Stoke that the print copy will have the usual accessibility features.
This was a beautiful story about a non school attender building a space in a group of friends. A subtle ghost story follows along - however without the fear!
Jodie is a lovely short story, ideal for when you want something shorter - but still with a level of maturity in it's themes of loneliness, anxiety and finding a place to belong
This was a beautiful story about a non school attender building a space in a group of friends. A subtle ghost story follows along - however without the fear!
Jodie is a lovely short story, ideal for when you want something shorter - but still with a level of maturity in it's themes of loneliness, anxiety and finding a place to belong
February 4, 2026
Spine tingling ghost story; spooky, not ghastly, so suitable for all. Read it with my children who enjoyed it; best read by 11 - 13 year olds. Dyslexia friendly.
Reading Level: 4.0
Word Count: 9,891
Reading Level: 4.0
Word Count: 9,891
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews