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The Middler

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The Middler

By: Kirsty Applebaum
Narrated by: Adjoa Andoh
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About this listen

'I was special. I was a hero. I lost the best friend I ever had.'

Eleven-year-old Maggie lives in Fennis Wick, enclosed and protected from the outside world by a boundary, beyond which the Quiet War rages and the dirty, dangerous wanderers roam.

Her brother Jed is an eldest, revered and special. A hero. Her younger brother is Trig - everyone loves Trig. But Maggie’s just a middler, invisible and left behind. Then, one hot September day, she meets Una, a hungry wanderer girl in need of help, and everything Maggie has ever known gets turned on its head.

Narrated expertly and often hilariously by Maggie, we experience the trials and frustrations of being the forgotten middle child, the child with no voice, even in her own family.

This gripping story of forbidden friendship, loyalty and betrayal is perfect for fans of Malorie Blackman, Meg Rosoff and Frances Hardinge.

©2019 Kirsty Applebaum (P)2019 Nosy Crow Ltd Fiction Growing Up Growing Up & Facts of Life Literature & Fiction Friendship

Critic reviews

“This is a quirky, original adventure about friendship and loyalty, betrayal and trust, kindness and greed, told as Maggie’s vibrant narrative, with striking characters and a happy ending in which all siblings are equal.” (Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times, Children’s Book of the Week)

“I thought I’d almost reached my fill of dystopian novels, but Kirsty Applebaum...has rebooted the genre. The plot pulls you along and I liked Maggie more and more as she grew in courage.” (Alex O’Connell, The Times, Children’s Book of the Week)
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Fascinating storyline - loved how it turned out. Characters were believable and the narrator's performance was spot on - just right for the setting of this book. Would highly recommend for 9-13 readers and their parents.

Interesting storyline

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Really enjoyed this story, didn't want it to end. Has similar themes to books like the Hunger Games but written in a more child friendly way.

Engaging

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I'd been meaning to read this book for a little while and wasn't disappointed. What a brilliant plot. there were many moments that made me gasp as I wasn't expecting that plot twist. The narrator is simply brilliant and the voices bring the characters alive. Great story.

The narrator is fantastic!

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