Description
Kip Boowitt is desperate for a best friend. So when she rescues a tiny creature that looks like a kitten but isn't a kitten, she names him Buffel and loves him with all her heart.
With a distracted dad and mean kids at school, all Kip wants is someone with two ears and time for her. And Buffel is the best listener. But when he's kidnapped, there is only one thing to do - go from mountain to sea to get him back.
An action-packed fantasy adventure full of heart, from debut author Emma Gourlay.
Review
This is a delightful and magical story about a young girl called Kip, who is just trying to fit in.
Set in 1985 in the time of apartheid in South Africa, Kip is the daughter of a black Dad and a white Mum, so her life is complicated. Kip is a character you will thoroughly love right from the start of this story.
Kip lives in Constantia Nek, where it is a tradition that on your twelfth birthday you get ‘Something Odd’. And with Kip's birthday about to happen, she is wondering what hers will be!
Kip lives a lonely life with just her Dad, who is more interested in everything that flies than her, and she has trouble fitting in at school. All she really wants is a friend.
When a strange egg appears - that turns out to be a kitten-like creature - Kip names him Buffel and she is determined to look after him. But when Buffel is kidnapped, Kip’s life takes a whole new twist. Suddenly she finds herself on an magical adventure with a boy from school, Troy, and his grandfather, Grand Daddy Bristol (a character that I absolutely loved!), all to try and rescue Buffel. Maybe Kip’s life is about to turnaround after all...
This is a heartfelt story that will be thoroughly enjoyed by those in middle primary and up.
Reviewed by Sam
