The Beast of Whixall Moss

by Pauline Fisk

One day Jack finds a boat hidden on the creek, and in the boat is a fabulous beast. At once he is filled with wild longing: he must own it. But the mysterious inhabitants of the boat have other ideas and, in the struggles that follow, Jack's world is changed for ever...

Genres: Childrens

119 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 1997

About the author

Died January 25, 2015.

Pauline Fisk is the author of eleven novels for young people of all ages. More can be found about her by going to her website.

Reviews

[Frankie Rufolo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a really strange and atmospheric children's book. It explores the relationships within the main character's family really well. The main character is flawed and well-developed and it's a great be-careful-what-you-wish-for-story with a great sense of mystery that really had me hooked.

[Capn]

Promo blurb at back of The Midwinter Watch:

So what if he can never satisfy his mother's desire for perfection and his brother can? So what if he's lonely out on Whixall Moss? He doesn't care - or so he likes to tell himself. Then one day he sees, in a boat hidden on the creek, a beautiful, fabulous beast. At once he is filled with a wild longing: he must own it. But the boat's mysterious inhabitants have other ideas...

Gripping and powerful, this novel by Smartie's Book Prize Winner Pauline Fisk is a tale that will live long in the imagination.

Browsed at Oxfam and put it back - can't remember why.