Ebenezer Tweezer is 511 years old and wrinkle free. He also has the energy of a teenager, a sharp mind and is incredibly rich. Are you wondering how?

When Ebenezer was a child all those years ago, he found a very strange creature. It fitted into his hand, looked like a worm, but had two tongues and three black eyes. He found if he fed it chicken pie and a bit of roast beef, it gave him presents. One of these presents is the Elixir of life, allowing Ebenezer to stay forever young. In time Ebenezer could ask for absolutely anything, and the creature he now calls The Beast would do the same.

Over the centuries, The Beast has grown huge and his requests for things to eat are weirder and weirder. A cactus, a statue, the last living Dodo, rare animals, furniture – you name it, and Ebenezer travels the world to find it. The Beast’s latest request however, is disturbing to Ebenezer. So disturbing in fact that for the first time in his long life with The Beast he says, “No!”

He’s forgotten he’s nearly out of elixir, and The Beast denies him more until his request is fulfilled. What does The Beast want? A child!

What can vain, narcissistic Ebenezer do? He can’t look old. He won’t! He decides that although providing a child is terrible, if he finds a truly awful one, it won’t be so bad. This is where Bethany comes in.

Bethany is rude, demanding, destructive and mean. She is the worst child in the local orphanage. Perfect!

The Beast isn’t particularly happy though. She’s too skinny for his liking, demanding Ebenezer fatten her up. There’s only a few days supply of elixir left. This is cutting it fine….

What a fantastic story! It all seems straight forward to the main character Ebenezer Tweezer what he must do to stay young. He has only lived 511 lives and there is still more stuff he wants to do. The solution is far from simple as he gets to know the very child he must sacrifice for the Elixir of Life he needs. He may have lived long, but he has no idea about real life.

Bethany is a strong, determined and devious little girl, but deep down a little sad and lonely. These two odd characters discover a friend in each other – something neither has ever had. Both although awful in their own way, worm their way into your heart.

The Beast and the Bethany is part scary Roald Dahl, a swirl of Lemony Snickett, a good dollop of Dorian Gray, and some Monsters Inc stirred in – but sweet at the same time. Don’t get me wrong though, nothing is easy for these two and The Beast is HUNGRY! He will have his way or else!

Great Middle Grade Read for Halloween – or any time of year.

Author – Jack Meggitt-Phillips

Age – 8+

(2020, Harper Collins, Monster, Secret, Eternal life, Elixir of Life, Greedy, Orphanage, Bird Man, Pet shop, Creepy, Funny, Humour, Scary, Live forever, Beast in the Attic)