Posted in MG Novels, So Many Good Books

The Hippo at the End of the Hall

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday

The Hippo at the End of the Hall (Candlewick Press, 2017) by Helen Cooper was a fun read full of magic. There’s often a different flavor in books written in the UK–and I’m not sure what it is exactly–but this one has it. Maybe it’s just the use of words that are not the same as American usage. Or maybe it’s something else that’s special.

Ben, who doesn’t normally like mail, received an invitation to the Gee Museum. Mom thinks it has probably been shut down, and doesn’t want him to go even if it is. It’s too close to the river, etc. But a handwritten note on the ticket says, “Come now or come never,” has him intrigued. When Ben goes without permission, he has no idea that his visit will end up changing his and his mother’s life.

A bonus in this book are all the illustrations.

Helen Cooper is an author and illustrator. She’s won the Library Association Kate Greenaway Medal – twice. Read more about her here. And you can see all of her books here.

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10 thoughts on “The Hippo at the End of the Hall

  1. I’ve read several MG novels set in Britain recently and the language differences always pop out. This one sounds fun and I’ll look for it the next time I’m at the online library catalog. Thanks for featuring on MMGM

    1. I read so many British authors and enjoy the language differences. Long ago my mother-in-law bought me the first 4 Harry Potter books in Britain so I have those versions.

  2. This book sounds excellent! The magical-museum aspect reminded me of another book that I once read, but I have completely forgotten its name! I wonder if this book is similar to that one. Thanks for the great review!

  3. I read this a few months ago and featured it for MG. This was such a fun and unique read. I don’t know if it was the British bit, but it certainly had a different feel than what I usually read. My son loved it too, especially all the talking animals.

    1. Maybe seeing it on your blog is what made me request it from the library! My favorite is the chameleon.

  4. OMG, that cover! I would buy it just to have that cover looking back at me. It sounds like a fun book. I will try to check it out. I like books written by British authors.

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