Ravani loves building bird boxes and placing them in a special place in the forest behind his home. He has many around his window too, and he enjoys the
birdlife who use them. He knows other boys like sports, or building things, or cars, but that’s never been his thing. He’s a little sad about it, as he knows his dad would love it if he enjoyed baseball, or tinkering under bonnets.
There’s a boy in town called Donnie. He’s larger, faster and good at all the things Rav isn’t, and he reminds him every time he sees him. Not just with words either. Rav isn’t brave enough to fight back, and he doesn’t have any friends to help him do it, so avoidance of Donnie is key. It doesn’t help that their fathers both work at the slaughterhouse in their small town called Slaughterville.
Late one night, Rav is still awake and he sees something he’s not supposed to. Across the street at midnight, seven children climb out of a truck with bags, parasols, and soft toys tucked under arms, and go into the empty house belonging to their old neighbour. Intrigued, Rav says nothing to his parents, watching and waiting to see who the children are and why they moved in at midnight.
To his wonder, he slowly makes his first real friend in a girl his age named Virginia. She’s clever, and bold, and completely unafraid of Donnie. She doesn’t laugh at Rav’s name, his bird boxes or the way he does things. In fact, she tells him he’s gold. Over time they become closer, and finally Virginia tells him the answer to a question he’s been dying to ask. Why did they move in at midnight?
He can hardly believe the life Virginia and her brothers and sisters have been living, and what’s waiting for them if they are discovered. When the worst person in town discovers their secret, Rav knows he must step up and prove he really is best friend material.
The Midnight Children is pure Gold! Dan Gemeinhart does it again and again. The Coyote Sunrise duology, then Busted and now The Midnight Children – left me beaming at another wonderful story for middle grade readers. With just a touch of magic (a teensy bit really – but just perfect), this tale of choices, courage, cows and friendship will touch the heart and soul of any reader.
Main character Rav wants a friend, and wants to be brave, and wants to do things other kids do in his town – someday. But with the arrival of seven children aged from 5 to 17, all of his wishes and hopes do too.
Beautifully told in third person, sprinkled with chapters from a villain’s point of view, the two narratives weave together tighter and tighter to become a nail-biting, thrilling, and frightening finale.
Rav has a chance to be all the things his new friend says he is. Brave, smart, kind and… gold.
The Midnight Children brilliantly culminates in another heart hug from the pen of Dan Gemeinhart.
Just wonderful!
Author – Dan Gemeinhart
Age – 8+
(2025, Square Fish Publishing, St Martins Press, Blended Family, Bullies, Courage, Friendship, Historical, Love, A Little Magic, Secret, Hiding, Small town, Raft Race, Hunter, Souls, Bird lover)