SuitabookThe Glorious Race of Magical Beasts
Alex Bell, illustrated by Tim McDonagh
- Reading
- Read it as an adventure with pauses after major obstacles to discuss courage, capability and friendship. If the peril feels intense, focus first on the inventive creatures and library-centred world.
- Themes
- Courage and self-belief: Eli is dismissed as an implausible racer and must face challenges while questioning his own strength. The book’s stance on this remains unclear.
- Friendship, secrets and support: Eli travels with Jeremiah and Raven, while the friendships include tension around withholding secrets and wanting to provide support. The book’s stance on this remains unclear.
- Libraries and books: Eli is an apprentice librarian, lives in a royal library and has brought Jeremiah to life from a favourite book. Libraries and books are positioned as important parts of the setting and adventure, with reading connected to imagination and companionship.
- Worth knowing
- The family danger and competitive peril may merit attention for a sensitive reader. The story also includes cruel mockery, frightening creatures, a sinister bounty hunter and the earlier deaths of Eli’s parents.