The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley June 4, 2022
Author Kate Gordon
Distributor: UQP
ISBN: 9780702263484
Publisher: University of Queensland Press (UQP)
Release Date: April 2022
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For followers of the Direleafe Hall series they will be familiar with the wise old Crow Hollowbeak, who watches, and at times shares his timeless wisdom. But where did Hollowbeak gain all his wisdom has until now, been well kept within the Direleafe Halls many secrets.
Jackdaw Hollow came into the world with a rush. A fractious child he never seemed to settle, no matter what his doting parents tried. Until one night, a beautiful storm was brewing on the horizon and his mother thought he may well enjoy watching the lightening as it danced with the thunder, as it moved across the skies.
Except sadly, his parents were hit by the lightening; he was found by a man and taken to Direleafe Hall and offered to the headmistress Mrs Beekman, who agreed to bring him up as her son. The trouble was he grew up as a little boy, who was fine of feature, with black, featherlike hair and pale face, who did not make friends, but loved to read and learn.
Nell, Florence and Lucy, the three ghost girls who have been a part of Direleafe Hall for a very, very long time, decided, at least Nell did, it is time they became known to Jack, and as always Nell, can’t help trying to help, even when she knows she should not.
This leads Jack into some very strange adventures as he desperately tries to find his calling in life. He has always been told he was spared for something very special, but no matter what he tries, he really can’t find his calling. But maybe, he has made a friend in Angelique, a little girl who seems to have lived a very different life to his and also desperately wants to join a circus troupe to become famous.
The Calling of Jackdaw Hollow, from Kate Gordon is a whimsical story that is carved around life’s many lessons, as well as world of wisdom. As Jackdaw Hollow learns what his calling really is, so too does the story of Direleafe Hall and the wonderful girls and ghosts who do live there, slowly come to a nice ghostly conclusion, in a gentle and calm manner.
Should Kate Gordon feel there is another story to be told there is plenty of scope, but as Hollowbeak was getting rather old and weary in The Ballad of Melodie Rose, perhaps this is indeed a time to consider new adventures for one wise old Crow a may well be a thing of the past.