Manka, The Sky Gipsy

A demanding read, partly from length and style which takes a little getting into but the story of Manka, the snow white goose, gradually grows on you and is finally sad. Perhaps the style and some of the sentiments date this now but the careful detail in the creation of the life of the geese is engrossing and the story of the duel between Manka and Foxy the poacher, albeit done in cliches at times, carries the reading through to the dramatic climax. There's some work for teachers to do in helping pupils into the book - something that television would do very well - but those who read it will be natural salespeople.