Books For Keeps
  • Home
  • Reviews
  • Articles
  • Past Issues
  • Latest Issue
  • Authors and Artists
  • Latest News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
March 5, 2016/in Fiction 10-14 Middle/Secondary /by Angie Hill
BfK Rating:
BfK 217 March 2016
Reviewer: Janet Fisher
ISBN: 978-1781125168
Price: £6.99
Publisher: Barrington Stoke
Genre: Fiction
Age Range: 10-14 Middle/Secondary
Length: 80pp
Buy the Book

A Dark Trade

Author: Mary Hooper

There is a real art in writing a story in 80 pages which is satisfying, tells a real tale and leaves the reader feeling complete, and this is one such example.  Mary Hooper is an accomplished writer of historical fiction and this story of a girl who gets caught up in the trade of the body snatchers showcases her skill.   Georgina, an orphan is taken on as a kitchen maid in the 19th century.  She finds life difficult between the boot boy’s cruel teasing and the lecherous behaviour of the son of the house who has already got one maid into trouble.  Seeing an advertisement for help in a clothing shop Georgina decides to become George and flees early one morning.  Getting the job is one thing but find out that the owner is involved in body snatching – digging up bodies from their graves, stealing anything they can from the body, and then selling the bodies for medical study, presents her with a difficult decision.  She meets Anna, who appears to be blind and helps her escape a beating from her father. The story ends with Georgina and the not so blind girl escaping for a new life away from London.

Georgina’s plight highlights the difficulties girls faced as servants in this period, and is  beautifully written and produced with lovely end papers and decorations at the bottom of each page, making it a lovely book to hold.  The story ends with George and Anna having to come clean about their various deceptions and builds for a sequel – hopefully!

The story matter does make this for the 13+ end of this age range, and because of this would be good not only for a dyslexic reader but for a less able reader too.

Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on WhatsApp
  • Share on Pinterest
  • Share on LinkedIn
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png 0 0 Angie Hill http://booksforkeeps.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/bfklogo.png Angie Hill2016-03-05 18:01:002021-07-12 17:02:47A Dark Trade

Search for a specific review

Author Search

Search







Generic filters




Filter by Member Types


Book Author

Download BfK Issue Bfk 272 May 2025
Skip to an Issue:

About Us

Launched in 1980, we’ve reviewed hundreds of new children’s books each year and published articles on every aspect of writing for children.

Read More

Follow Us

Latest News

Choice and reading relevant to their interests = reading for pleasure

June 11, 2025

Ross Montgomery wins the 2025 FCBG Children’s Book Award

June 7, 2025

Michael Rosen and Emily Gravett IBBY UK nominations for Hans Christian Andersen Awards 2026

June 4, 2025

Contact Us

Books for Keeps,
30 Winton Avenue,
London,
N11 2AT

Telephone: 0780 789 3369

ISSN: 0143-909X (this is our International Standard Serial Number).

© Copyright 2025 - Books For Keeps | Proudly Built by Lemongrass Media - Web Design Buckinghamshire
Jim Reaper: Son of Grim Time Travelling with a Hamster
Scroll to top