Impossible!

Hollis Family #4

by Michelle Magorian

A compelling story of London’s theatre world at the start of the 60s as Josie tries to find success as an actress. 12-year old Josie attends a finishing-style stage school. She dreams of being on stage, but is firmly told she has no acting ability. Fortunately she finds herself cast as a boy in an American comedy – but she is mistaken for the star and kidnapped and imprisoned in a dockside warehouse. Managing to escape, she and a fellow runaway take refuge in the Theatre Royal in Stratford. They are offered work by the legendary Joan Littlewood, founder of the Theatre Workshop Company. Much to Josie’s surprise this leads to a role in a Saturday-morning film. However, the kidnappers haven’t given up yet and they are on Josie’s trail… Impossible! is a story that will keep readers enthralled chapter by chapter as the drama unfolds- rather like the film that Josie is in.

- See more at: http://www.michellemagorian.com/impos...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Fiction, Childrens

608 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 2014

About the author

British children's author Michelle Magorian - author of the celebrated Goodnight, Mr. Tom (1981), which won The Guardian Children's Fiction Prize - was born in Southsea, Portsmouth, in 1947. She trained to be an actress, studying at the Rose Bruford College of Speech and Drama, and at Marcel Marceau's L'école Internationale de Mime in Paris. While pursuing an acting career, Magorian became interested in children's books, writing her first novel for young readers (Goodnight, Mr. Tom) over the course of four and a half years.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in 1959, this is almost reminiscent of Noel Streatfeild at first. Twelve-year-old Josie, a talented and determined child attending a stage school, tries to make her way in the world while adults conspire to make things difficult.

There are rather a lot of people introduced in the first few chapters and I found myself a little bewildered at times. However, this didn’t matter much as the writing is crisp and fast-paced, and Josie a believable and likeable child.

As I got into the story, I could hardly put it down. There’s tension and excitement, both on stage and in the events off-stage, and almost 600 pages flew past so that I finished it within three days.

The fictional families - including Josie’s - are seamlessly woven into the stage history of the era. It took me a while to realise that the locations and theatre groups mentioned were real ones, as were some of the people. I was a little disappointed that there was no epilogue explaining which parts of the book were based on reality, but perhaps it doesn’t matter.

If I have a niggle with the book, it’s that it seems to be overtly educational in places, with slightly forced conversations when characters inform each other about parts of a theatre, or how a film is made.

All in all, this is an amazing book, recommended to children of around ten or older, but very readable for adults too.

My full review is at http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/i...

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another absolutely cracker of a book from Michelle Magorian. Love the era of the book setting and her descriptions of the language used at that time are spot on. Although there isn't any mystery to the reader as to who dunnit, the plot keeps you on the edge of your seat and wanting to read more.

[Felicity · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this in Hay on Wye as I have enjoyed all of Michelle Magorian's books in the past.

Josie Hollis has just started at Mrs Dalgleish's stage school in London and is adjusting to her school, living with her Auntie Winn as well as getting to know some of her extended family. But Josie is being bullied for her working class background and when she gets a part in a play she ends up having to run for her life when she becomes involved with an identity mix up.

A really enjoyable read which I couldn't put down at points. I enjoyed learning about how different methods of acting came about in the late 1950s. Clearly Magorian had done her research. I also loved the character of Josie who is a bit of a tom boy and loved the historical touches about racism. Some of the snobbery was used to create comedy! All of the other Hollis's reappear at points and there are plenty of famous people such as Bruce Forsyth and Sheila Hancock who are mentioned.


Another good book from Michelle Magorian. Perfect for children aged 9+

[Rose Lydia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a masterpiece. It is exquisite in its charm and characters. Michelle is fabulous at writing such unexpected story changes with ease and helping her character do such mind boggling things that make sense and don’t all at the same time! I am in love with this book and this writer. It’s definitely on my favourites list! Rose x

[Esther · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting storyline with real plays and theatres. I loved how humerous and detailed it was.

[Stephanie Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable

[✿༺cosy reviews༻✿]

Again, omg u must be getting tired of me! Another one! But its great… this one gets more mysterious and suspenfull with robbers and and other suprises!
Byee
☕️Cosy reviews☕️

[Beth Friedman]

Courtesy of Archive.org. This is set over a decade later than the previous books. (The twelve-year-old main character is the baby that was born at the end of an earlier book.)

[Isabelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Page turner, mystery, history kids in 1959 London theatre scene.

[DeAnna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not as crazy about this series as I am about Magorian's earlier works. It includes some interesting history about the British theater scene, but doesn't grab you by the heartstrings like Goodnight Mr Tom does.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story of the youngest member of the Hollis family - Josie, born in a theatre during A Spoonful of Jam - isn't Magorian's best, often losing focus and a times a bit too indulgent about informing the reader about characters from previous books, but it's populated by a strong cast, gives some attention to racsim and sexism, and takes an interesting look at how theatre changed in 1959, with a side helping of film and televison. There's a kidnap plot for spice that feels a bit heavy handed, but I loved the historial details, such as the look at the Girl Guides.

[Rachelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my second reading of this book and it was just as much a page turner as the first time around.
Josie Hollis is the youngest child, born in a theatre 12 years previously she almost has to be an actress. Unfortunately the headmistress and teachers at the stage school she goes to disagree and do their best to ensure she doesn't get to work. Despite their best efforts though Josie ends up with several parts and another adventure that puts her skills and resilience to the test.

[Fred Langridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at 11-year-olds, the blurb says; the setup is essentially that the (gender nonconforming) protagonist wants to be in Swallows and Amazons but is in Ballet Shoes instead. Adventure ensues, including cameos from Joan Littlewood and Sheila Hancock.
Not quite as good as Back Home or Just Henry or Goodnight Mister Tom, but readable and well-told.

[Tricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theatre and film background is totally authentic and obviously well researched - really enjoyed it.

[Car en za · Rating 5 out of 5]

WHY WHY DID I NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS ?
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
Auntie Win go you . Also Mr Beauvoisin YES! And josie. Eeeeeeee

[Pers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy Michelle Magorian's historical novels.