Hootcat Hill [Paperback]

Lucy Coats (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2009 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Linnet Perry is a 13-year-old girl living in Wyrmesbury. Ordinary on the surface, she has hidden powers which she must be taught to use. When the ancient worldwyrm stirs, fear spreads throughout the town. People begin to disappear. Unless the wyrm is returned to sleep, there will be natural disasters and worse—too much old magic will leak into the world, disturbing the careful balance of modern life. Only Linnet has the rare combination of magics needed to embark on the dangerous quest through the natural and spiritual world to redress the imbalance and restore order. But is she strong enough—and willing enough—to confront her gifts, and use them—especially since all she has ever wanted was to fit in and be like everyone else?

Editorial Reviews

Review

'A lovely book...with a timeless feel to it. Hootcat Hill could have been written longer ago than last year, and i hope taht means its appeal will last a long time' BOOKWITCH

From the Inside Flap

Linnet's life is strange enough already. She's used to Wyrmesbury's weird earthquakes, the odd effects of her dad's peculiar Brews and the secretive ways of the villagers. But then two of her friends vanish, and she discovers that she is the Maiden Guardian - a job that no one can prepare for.

Linnet must leave behind everything familiar and safe and set out through the Door in the Owlstones on Hootcat Hill into the unknown. Old and new magics have clashed, and the worldwyrm has been woken from its sleep. Only Linnet can subdue it and restore peace and order. But is Linnet strong enough - and willing enough - to accept her Gifts, and use them, since all she's ever wanted was to fit in and be like everybody else?

Lucy Coats has been fascinated by myths and legends for as long as she can remember. She worked as an editor in children's publishing and now writes full time. She lives in Northamptonshire with her husband, two teenage children and pets. Lucy's most recent books are Coll the Storyteller's Tales of Enchantment, a collection of Celtic myths, and the picture book, King Ocean's Flute. She is at work on her second novel for older readers. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Orion Children's Books; 1 edition (November 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1842556886
• ISBN-13: 978-1842556887
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,324,389 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lucy Coats is a multigenre author of children's books. Her first picturebook was published in 1991, and in 2004 she was shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Prize for 'Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths'. Her first novel 'Hootcat Hill', was published in 2008 and had excellent reviews. Lucy was born in Hampshire and read English and Ancient History at Edinburgh University, which is where she met her husband, with whom she has two teenage children, both keen readers. Lucy read her first book of Greek myths at the age of seven, and has been hooked on myths of all kinds ever since.

Lucy lives in rural Northamptonshire and writes looking out over green fields full of sheep. She has a deskdog called Hero who generally lies between her screen and keyboard and is very good at encouraging Lucy when the writing is going slowly. Lucy has a website at http://lucycoats.com and a blog called Scribble City Central at http://scribblecitycentral.blogspot.com where she tries to give helpful (if eccentric) advice on the trials and tribulations of a writer's life. It has just been shortlisted for the Author Blog Awards 2010 along with Neil Gaiman and Paulo Coelho's blogs. She also has a Facebook Fan page at http://tinyurl.com/lucycoatsfacebook and a Twitter page at http://www.twitter.com/lucycoats which she visits strictly during coffee breaks. Lucy's latest 12 book series, Greek Beasts and Monsters were published by Orion Children's Books throughout 2010, and she is currently working on a YA fantasy novel and a series for 7-9 year-olds.