Buy Promise The Night by Michaela MacColl
Special: $10.69 (Regular price: $16.99)
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Format: Hardcover
Reviewer: Melissa on January 25, 2012
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Beryl Markham may be young, but she has big dreams for herself – bigger than working on a large ranch in British East Africa where her father is raising her. Bigger than the life that’s been circumscribed for early 20th century British women, both back home and on the African continent. In Promise The Night, Michaela MacColl‘s first middle grade novel, readers get an action-packed insight into both Beryl’s rebellious and stubborn childhood and the famous woman she becomes through a mix of letters, first-person narration, editorials, journal entries, and interviews. Is it any wonder that two-time Newbery Honor Winner Patricia Reilly Giff called it, “A thrill of a ride”? I think not, and I have a feeling that if you pick up this novel, you won’t be surprised either.
In 2011, MacColl released her debut YA novel, Prisoners In The Palace, which I read and absolutely loved. Like her first novel, this one for children ages 8-12 (and possibly up) is fast-paced, tightly-wove, and has a strong female main character that will have girls routing for her to succeed in her endeavors. One thing that does differ considerably from her first novel, however, is that this time around, MacColl may have found a way to grab the attention of boy readers for which lions, hunting, tribal culture, and piloting airplanes are of interest. For readers who want to be thrilled, the author gets them in the pilot seat, buckles them in, and plots out a course to reading enjoyment that won’t let up.
What’s to love other than the action? With Beryl, MacColl has found a character who exemplifies the concept that young girls really can be anything they want, even if it’s in a stereotypically male profession. Personally, I think this can only lead to good things for young girls and boys who love to read; it’ll help open them up to a world where men and women can be equal, which is pretty awesome. That said, the novel doesn’t invent unrealistic situations. If anything, it depicts the lives of Emma and Beryl in very realistic ways, including how neither of them fit into the model of the ideal woman, even though Emma strives for it at every turn. Will young readers be able to see this tidbit? Maybe, maybe not. Beryl certainly isn’t mature enough to understand it, but I think this is just another good point of the novel. It offers readers of different ages, maturity levels, and reading abilities something specifically for them. In addition, the novel brings to light some of the negative effects of colonialism, even expanding on the written, historical record to speak to the “otherness” that Beryl would’ve felt with the Nandi tribe. Readers who enjoy this novel may even find it becomes a jumping off point to further exploration of this period. Whether the reader in your life wants a little girl power or a history lesson, both of these needs will be satisfied by Promise The Night.
Just like her first novel, I found that this novel was the kind I could just speed right through. However, personally, I’m less interested in the early 20th century than I was in Prisoners In The Palace‘s 19th century setting, so that slightly dampened my reading experience, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be a hindrance to your experience or that of the young reader in your life. In fact, I’d say that this story of friendship, adventure, and strength will be a book you come back to again and again.
Buy Promise The Night today and benefit from free shipping and 37% off the regular price!
Melissa has always been a voracious reader of fiction and has an M.A. in English Literature to prove it. Like many other adults, she got caught up in the young adult crossover fiction phenomenon. Now, one of her great joys comes from sharing her love of YA lit on this popular review site. Come with expectations of intellect, magic, and honest reviews, and you won’t be disappointed.
