The Fortune Maker (Catherine Norton, HarperCollins)

Catherine Norton’s first book, Crossing, was awarded the 2015 NSW Premier’s Literary Award for children’s literature and was a CBCA Notable book in the same year. The Fortune Maker is her sophomore novel for a slightly younger age group. Set in London in 1913, it introduces Maud Montgomery who, with her father, ekes out a hard-scrabble existence, saving every penny for a ticket out of Silvertown. When Maud loses her house and then her father in quick succession, she is cast onto the streets without a social safety net. Implicated in the foretelling of a world-famous Seer, she is scooped up by a wealthy family who tries to turn her nascent Seeing powers to their own ends, but Maud makes unlikely allies along the way and fights hard for her freedom. An action-packed blend of historical fiction and magical intrigue, Norton’s latest outing is reminiscent of Katrina Nannestad and Judith Rossell. Norton weaves broad issues such as workers’ rights, suffragism and the looming spectre of WWI into Maud’s exploration of her newfound foresight and the consequences of such power. With a large cast of characters and so much historical detail, the novel walks a complex tightrope of information and heart. Still, Norton has balanced her research alongside the gripping storyline. Themes of friendship, self-reliance and cooperation will appeal to plucky readers aged 10–14, and the beautifully packaged hardback makes a great gift.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Annie Waters sells books, writes about books and podcasts about books. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

Category: Reviews