Review sponsored* by Penny-Farthing Productions
The Children’s Book Review | July 10, 2017
Written by Marlaine Maddux White
Paperback: 142 pages
Age Range: Middle school readers
Publisher: Penny-Farthing Productions (August 2017)
ISBN: 978-0-9991709-0-8
What to expect: Sea creatures, intrigue, intergenerational conflict and coming-of-age themes
The Hidden Loch takes readers to Loch Ness, Scotland, the location of numerous sightings of the infamous Loch Ness Monster. Set in a “world of innocence” readers are introduced to a vast array of prehistoric sea creatures that have managed to stay alive despite the passage of time and the incursion of humans. The creatures have built an extensive society with rites and ceremonies that have surpassed the test of time. One such ritual requires the leading matriarchal plesiosaur to venture into Loch Ness to gather important information about the outside world. The ritual is also a key ceremony to prove that the leading matriarch is ready for the weighty responsibility of leading the Loch dwellers.
The skilful weaving of the Loch Ness mystery into this colorfully illustrated graphic novel brings to light a whole other world to explain the unexplainable. The story is chock full of drama and interesting characters. Intergenerational conflict flares up between Grandmama and Nessandra, the former and current leading matriarchal plesiosaurs, when Nessandra decides to go to Loch Ness despite her grandmother’s warnings. Nessandra is further embroiled in drama when her friends pressure her to act when she isn’t sure she should.
As Nessandra begins to assert her role as leader, she questions her own ability to save the Loch and its dwellers from the “drywalkers” who are ever closer to discovering the Hidden Loch’s location. When one of the loch dwellers is captured, things take a definite turn for the worse.
Full of intrigue and surprising twists and turns, The Hidden Loch will appeal to graphic novel and fantasy enthusiasts. It is suitable for middle-school aged children who will be able to quickly grasp the issues that often surface between peers of a certain age group.
Available Here: pfproductions.com
About the Author
Marlaine Maddux White is a writer/editor who lives in the Houston, Texas area. She loves the ocean and is fascinated with stories about the sea. Marlaine is Grandma to seven grandchildren.
For more information, visit: http://www.pfproductions.com/titles/the-hidden-loch/
Dedicated Reviews allow authors and illustrators to gain prompt visibility for their work. Penny-Farthing Productions, the publisher of ‘The Hidden Loch,’ by Marlaine Maddux-White, sponsored* this non-biased review. Learn more about getting a book review …