THURSDAY’S CHILD, by Noel Streatfeild HarperCollins Children’s Books, Oct. 12, 2021, Paperback, $7.99 (ages 9-12)
A plucky young orphan takes center stage in Noel Straetfeild’s middle grade novel Thursday’s Child.
Margaret Thursday was named after the day she was found on the church steps as a baby. But she isn’t really an orphan – each year a bag of gold coins is left at the church for her keep. However, when Margaret is eleven years old, the money suddenly stops and her guardians have no choice but to send her away to an orphanage.
The orphanage is worse than they could have imagined. The children are poorly treated and barely fed, and fearless Margaret soon makes herself the enemy of the evil matron who runs it. Vowing to protect her new friends, Peter and Horatio, Margaret plans their daring escape . . . but she’ll have to outwit Matron at every turn.
Margaret’s action-packed adventure, set in turn-of-the-century England, takes her from orphanage to canal boat to the world of the theatre. Through it all, Margaret is propelled by her unwavering sense of self and determination. —Synopsis provided by HarperCollins Children’s Books
As a child, I read Noel Streatfeild’s Shoe Books (Dancing Shoes, Theater Shoes, Ballet Shoes, Circus Shoes, Movie Shoes and Skating Shoes), but I didn’t go beyond that. So, I was more than pleasantly surprised to learn about Thursday’s Child and its sequel Far To Go.
Margaret Thursday is a lovely heroine. She’s full of spunk and courage and sense of self. She has a way of attracting drama in the most delicious way. She’s smart and fun and a delight to read about.
In fact, Thursdays Child is an overall joy to read. Supporting characters are strong and imperfections are celebrated. This fast-moving novel had me champing at the bit to read the next book, which comes out in March.
