The team over at the North Somerset Teachers’ Book Award have reviewed Saviour Pirotta’s, The Whispering Stones – book two in the Wolfsong series with illustrations by Davide Ortu;
Once again, superb story telling and history are combined in a book from Saviour Pirotta. Details of life in the Neolithic era are peppered throughout the story, allowing the reader to effortlessly learn more about the period whilst enjoying the plot. Set in Skara Brae, in the Orkneys, Wolf’s home is known as Great Island in the story and could lead to further research about this fascinating location, looking at photographs and imagining Wolf and his family in their dwelling. A map at the front of the book shows the journey Wolf takes with Moon, Shadow and Crow to Woodhenge and Stonehenge- the ‘whispering stones’- and this too could lead to further investigation.
Relationships are at the heart of this story, not only Wolf’s family and friends, but with his mentor and also his rival. Choices have to be made and the consequences of our actions, making and learning from mistakes and becoming the best person we can be are all themes explored through the book.
With plenty to learn and much to discuss, ‘The Whispering Stones’ would make a great story for guided reading or for sharing as a class read. Full of atmospheric illustrations, text and pictures combine to bring the Neolithic era to life.