Review by Fatimah Year 6, St. Cecilia’s Primary School
The River Spirit is a lovely story set in the Victorian era.  I loved the book because it told an interesting story and was a mixture of history and fantasy. The characters are brave, and I also loved how the story had magical creatures like fairies and the soot monster. It made me realise how tough life was for some children back then. My favorite character is Elle. She was always there to help Tom and the other apprentices when they needed her. She seemed to understand their pain/worries. She was definitely one of the best parts of the story and she made me want to keep reading to find out what would happen next. The River Spirit is a beautifully written and unforgettable story. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves adventure, mystery, and a little bit of magic.

Review by Maja, Year 8, Pen Y Dre High School
Lucy Strange’s book ‘The River Spirit ‘is a beautiful and engaging story. The story is set in a small village with a magical river. The book also gives us a good understanding into life in the past.

The river is like a character itself because it is so mysterious. The story starts off slow as we find out about Hetty and the river, but it becomes more exciting as you read.

Overall, ‘The River Spirit’ is a book I would recommend. Hetty’s journey is relatable, and the river added magic.