It goes without saying that Rodda writes well.

The Shop at Hoopers Bend is well written but it didn’t grab me. I suppose the theme is something along the lines of ‘Everything is connected’.  Rodda even gives a magical explanation of why this may be the case. With the magic alluded to, the reader believes in all the strange  coincidences. The story is complete and everything has its place.  The story is also warm and gentle, revealing the value of family, friends and place. Emily Rodda is a clever storyteller.

I found it hard to believe in the  amazing increase in rental opportunities that suddenly arose for the shop. I also couldn’t believe that a stranger would take  a girl in off the street without at least speaking to her parents/aunt? These  two crucial aspects of the novel are what put me off.

I recommend the novel for a good Year 6 (and upwards) reader. It is between 60,000 and 70,000 words long. All main characters are female, and the baddies are the guys. Ha! It is definitely more of a girls’ book than a boys. It was shortlisted for the 2018 CBCA.