For young readers

Press, 12 August 1986, Page 18

For young readers

The Demon Headmaster, by Gillian Cross, and The Poacher’s Son, by Rachel Anderson; ■ 1 Two Archway novels jfrom Oxford University Press. First, “The Demon Headmaster.*' — and What a demon, as Dinah finds out on her first day at th£ new school she attends after moving from orphan home and in with the Wilberforce 'family. The Wilberforce ; J boys', Lloyd and Harvey! were not very keen on having Dinah in their -home; A girl in the house for goodness’ sake. Probably a “normal” as well. Lloyd, Harvey, and a handful of others were the odd ones out at school. They were’nt “normals”; they weren’t under the demon headmaster's influence. But Dinah was a force tb be reckoned with. She was not what Lloyd and Harvey expected and shb certainly was not what the headmaster counted on. Dinah managed to get tb the bottom of the ipystery that - surrounded the school. While at first, like the other “normals” she became yet another victim of the headmaster's hypnosis sessions in the hall, Dinah managed to resist, and finally- to foil the demon’s master plan. A wierd tale, but amusing reading.—Rosemary Brader. > *

The “Poacher’s Son” is a completely different tale from the Archway novel series, but equally enjoyable. It is the story of Arthur Betts, the son of an impoverished poacher. Arthur could not read or write and was a frequent truant. School was not the place for Arthur, who “had the green in him.” The outdoors was the place for Arthur. As the eldest son, Arthur was landed with the responsibility of caring for his family after his father died. Death, disease, add poverty plagued the Betts family, but love and determination — and Arthur, in his own, troubled way ■— held them together. A story that will appeal to many young readers. The growing up process, the mixed feelings Arthur has about his ability to accept his responsibilities, are written about with sensitivity.—Rosemary Brader.