Wheel of Danger

A gang discovers an old mill during a school holiday, and struggles together to get it working. As ever, Leeson weaves in powerful themes with a lively plot. Collaborative effort requires a sorting out of rules and roles. Tensions and misunderstandings are as tangible as the landscapes: the latter are cleverly brought to life with the aid of an old guide book. Short, Jerky sentences teach readers to grasp uncertainties, quick decisions, frantic holiday movement. The plotting is televisual: snappy episodes that build upon competences nine-ups have learned from watching Grange Hill. Vibrant, rich writing, from an author who can be trusted never to sell his readers short.