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It’s the summer of 1777, the night of the grand unveiling of the Sancho-Mansfields family portrait – and a celebration of friendship, family, and freedom! But all too soon things take a dark turn – the painting has been stolen! Now it is time for Lizzie and Belle to put their sleuthing skills to the ultimate test, following a trail of thefts, kidnappings and even poisonings that haunts the twisting London streets. I’ve been able to do readings for the kids, hear from them, take questions about the history, hear their responses to the books and do what I really love best, which is to run creative writing workshops. This is a four-session Spelling Seed for the book The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger by J T Williams. Below is the coverage from Appendix 1 of the National Curriculum 2014. They meet at The Theatre Royal on Dury Lane. During the opening night of Shakespeare's Othello. Something terrible happens ! Lizzie's father is almost killed by a falling piece of scenery ! Was it an accident? Or could it be attempted murder? Liz Bankes, editorial directorand Aleena Hasan, editorial assistant, acquired world rights in all languages from Jasmine Richards at Storymix. The first title will bepublished on 4th August 2022, with a second book to follow in summer 2023.
I also love that it included and shed some light on Othello, a Shakespeare tragedy that Lizzie’s father had a starring role in. It didn’t just briefly mention as you’d maybe expect in most stories, but they worked it into the plot. Explaining the play and making my Shakespeare admiring heart very happy. It was a great addition to introduce this great playwright to a younger audience, all wrapped up in a fun way in this book. The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger is winner of The Week Junior Children’s Book of the Year: Breakthrough Award, and shortlisted for the Waterstones 2023 Children’s Book Prize! Why does Lizzie have so much spare time? She’s essentially of working age even for the lower middle classes. I was granted access to the audio book of this work by Netgalley free of charge in return for an honest review. Growing up I was a big fan of the american girls serries. It was a look at history through the eyes of young ladies who were close to my own age and thus grew my love of historical fiction. Mae Lizzie Sancho’n byw gyda’i theulu mawr yn eu caffi yng nghalon Llundain brysur. Mae Dido Belle yn aeres unig sy’n byw gyda’i modryb a’i hewythr mewn plasty ger Hampstead Heath. Ond pan maen nhw’n dal llygaid ei gilydd yn y theatr un noson, mae’r ddwy wrth eu boddau o weld merch Ddu arall o’r un oed.
The author has done a good job of adding historical facts within the storyline without it feeling like a history lesson. Lizzie and Belle are both sensible, likable characters and the secondary characters are all believable. The story follows a 12 years old girl, Elizabeth Sancho, who spends most of her time helping out with the family business. Lizzie’s father Ignatius Sancho, is an actor at Theatre Royal Drury Lane. Women’s clothes weren’t really designed to be put on by yourself because no one was ever really on their own. But then there are no servants at all in this household despite it being a relatively prosperous household. A look at Charles Booth’s map of London is illuminating in this regard. I was was ok with the historical aspect. I feel like the author chose to soften the history to make it accessible for middle grade. A lot. The Lizzie and Belle Mysteries: Drama and Danger has been shortlisted for the Waterstones 2023 Children’s Book Prize!
I loved the way Lizzie and Belle complemented each other. Lizzie is daring and bold, while Belle can curtsy properly and knows the right words for the right occassion. Both were equally important.
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In this story we meet Lizzie Sancho and Dido Belle are from different worlds – Lizzie lives in Westminster in her dad’s tea shop, while Belle is an heiress being brought up by her aunt and uncle at grand Kenwood House . Lizzie and Belle are such great characters and I loved following their adventures- Trying to get to the bottom of a mystery centred around a potentially fatal mishap at the theatre. I can already tell it’s going to be a great series for younger readers in the future! Although I did find the book a little disjointed at the beginning and the flow was not quite there from beginning to end, it was a fun little mystery to read and with an ending like that I am intrigued to read the next one in the series. The setting of London in 1777 comes across very clearly, and made me feel like I was really there. The illustrations by Simone Douglas are lovely, and really bring the story (even more) to life.
One of the best things about this book is the friendship between Lizzie and Belle. The girls' bond is heart-warming and genuine, and the author does an excellent job of developing their characters throughout the story. Lizzie is curious, brave, and determined, while Belle is intelligent, compassionate, and resourceful. The dynamic between the two girls is realistic and relatable, and their relationship will likely inspire young readers to value the importance of true friendship. If she isn’t working she’d be sewing. Close to all but top coats and mantuas were made at home by the women of the family (and the bit when she admires something because it’s hand sewn really sent my eyebrows up — what else would it be? Welded? She might notice it’s beautifully sewn.) All the children have far too much time. I received a review copy of the audiobook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinions.
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This vivid theatreland mystery - whose atmospheric setting recalls Phillip Pullman’s The Ruby and the Smoke series - is deeply rooted in the abolitionist milieu and resonates sonorously today.’The Observer, Chapter Books of the Month, 29th May 2022 -
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