Quick Look
Winner of the Kelpies Prize 2007. Robbie embarks on a perilous winter journey across the Trossachs and Scottish west coast as he struggles to find the truth of who he is.
Description
Faced with a cold Saturday afternoon stuck at the Institute for Animal Research, Robbie is angry and frustrated at yet another weekend ruined by his father's job. Then a disturbing encounter in the animal house thrusts him into a perilous journey through the stunning but inhospitable landscape of a Highland winter; alone but for two enigmatic travelling companions.
Robbie's world implodes as he tries to make sense of a hostile environment, his old life slowly unravels, and a shocking realization emerges.
Winner of the Kelpies Prize 2007.
Reviews
'I have never read anything like this before. I could not put this book down because I found it amazing. Annemarie Allan is an amazing writer. In the future I will absolutely read more of her novels.'
-- Nathalie Black, Queensferry High School, reporting for Teen Titles Magazine
'Hox is a breathlessly paced, action adventure, set, as all Kelpies Prize winning books have to be, in contemporary Scotland. An excellent debut novel by Annemarie Allan.'
-- Books for Keeps, May 2008
'This is a superb, intelligent and gripping novel. The strange bond between a boy and an animal draws you in and you will be desperate to know what happens next.'
-- John Baker, Waterstone's Guide to Children's Books
'Young readers will love this'
-- Stuart Peterson, The Greenock Telegraph
'The impressive details creates an atmosphere that is unmistakeably Scottish ... a fast paced and intriguing adventure with a satisfying but simple plot and a pleasing, if predictable ending.'
-- writeaway.org.uk
'A satisfying resolution of mysteries and an easy-to-follow plot, suitable for animal lovers of 10 to 13.'
-- Alison A. Maxwell-Cox, The School Librarian, Spring 2008
'Hox is science fiction, a mystery, an adventure, all rolled together through the world of genetic engineering.'
-- Suse Coon, Lothian Life
Author
Annemarie Allan studied at Stirling University and worked as a teacher and librarian near London. Returning to Scotland, she took up a post at the Scottish Arts Council, and started writing fantasy and science fiction for children in her spare time. She was shortlisted (for a different book) for the Saga/HarperCollins Children's book award in 2006. Hox is her first published novel.
You can also visit the author's own website at http://annemarieallan.com
Media
Hox was shortlisted for Floris Books' Kelpies Prize for new Scottish writing for children. Find out more about the Kelpies Prize and send your manuscript: next year, it could be your book being published!
Don't miss the Discover Kelpies website for children with exclusive author interviews, fun stuff and latest gossip on your favourite Scottish stories.
Download or print a free Teacher's Guide for this book:
Hox Teacher's Guide
Visit Annemarie Allan's website:
annemarieallan.com
