What We All Saw (Mike Lucas, Puffin)
In a small English country town in the 1970s, four friends make their way to the local quarry, a place where stories of witches and curses are born. Hag’s Drop, and the surrounding wood, is notorious for the witch burnings and drownings of the past, and all the local children know to stay away from the edge, particularly if they hear scratching coming from below. When Sam and his friends are set upon by the local bully while hanging out at the quarry, they witness an unspeakable tragedy. Something was down there, and that something dragged a boy to his death. Terrified and in hospital with a head injury, Sam is not sure what he saw. Witches can’t be real, can they? As the four friends begin to admit to each other that perhaps their nightmares have come to life, they set out to investigate the truth behind the stories and put an end to the fear and suspicion that has plagued their small town. What We All Saw is a delightfully creepy horror story for lower to middle secondary readers. The 1970s setting gives the narrative an old-school, childhood adventure feel (think Stand By Me) and affords the characters a level of freedom not felt by the children of today. The dynamic between the four friends is an interesting one, as each brings with them a different background and perspective. Sam serves as the narrator, observing his friends’ talents and insecurities and the ways in which they all fit together. The novel is also an exploration of the cruelty and ignorance of the witch trials and the importance of considering the truth of history. Above all, this is a suspense-filled story that will enthral young readers who are interested in horror but are not quite ready for the likes of Stephen King.
Erin Wamala has previously worked in publishing and is currently both a practising teacher librarian and the owner of The Kids’ Bookshop.
