The entire ability range, from children with SEN to the gifted and talented, just loved this book. Don't be deterred by the 'pretty' cover picture; both sexes were equally enthusiastic about the story because of the breadth of characters. There are gargoyles, witches, giants and trolls, amongst others.

The children's listening skills and abilities to generate ideas and create interesting stories were vastly improved.

Thoroughly recommended as a read aloud book for any KS2 class. There are many extracts just crying out for use within the National Literacy Strategy!


Absolutely Magical!   December 11, 2001
 2 out of 2 found this review helpful

This is an excellent book for kids, a really imaginative and good read - I first read it when I was 12, and I still read it occasionally read it now. Must read!!


A great read-aloud story   October 9, 2001
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Read this book to a bunch of 8 or 9 year olds and you will have them rapt from beginning to end, and groaning when you put the book down in between. The story hooks kids in fast, and keeps them hanging in through dangers and puzzles. They can really relate to Dakin, and the strange creatures and situations she encounters.


A highly memorable childrens fantasy   November 30, 2000
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

Okay, so I have not read this book in a very long time. However, I was in a childrens home when I read this book (my social worker bought it for me), and along with James and the Giant Peach, it provided me with a lot of comfort, joy and escapism. The story is about Dakin (I cant remember the sex) undergoing this traumatic and arduous journey. The part that really struck me during the journey was the fields of thorns. I hope this is not giving anything away but Dakin had to get across this huge and never ending field of huge razor sharp thorns and there was absolutely no way to get even a foot between them. Dakin cuts herself and cries. The tears make the thorns disappear and Dakin has to make herself cry in order to get through all the thorns and pain. She also has a knapsack which contains a few essential things such as a piece of cheese and, I think, a candle. I dont know why but the book meant such a lot to me and I must have read it fifty times at least. Sometimes its dark and mysterious, sometimes funny and light but its always enjoyable.


ONCE WHEN I WAS YOUNG...   June 26, 1998
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I CANNOT BELIEVE I FOUND THIS BOOK AGAIN. I READ IT WHEN I WAS EIGHT OR NINE AND LOST IT! IT WAS AND STILL IS MY FAVORITE BOOK FROM MY CHILDHOOD. WHEN I FOUND IT AGAIN AT AMAZON I ALMOST STARTED TO CRY. THIS BOOK IS WELL WRITTEN WITH A POWERFULL MAIN CHARACTER WHO INSPIRES YOUNG GIRLS TO BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES AND THAT THEY CAN DO ANYTHING. NINE YEARS LATER I STILL THINK ABOUT THIS BOOK AND THE WAY IT STILL HELPS ME, THAT IS WHY I WISHED I WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND IT AGAIN. IF YOU WANT TO HELP YOUE DAUGHTER AND INSPIRE HER LIFE, YOU SHOULD PURCHASE THIS BOOK. I OWE A LOT TO IT. IT TRULY HELPED MOLD MY PERSONALITY AND WAS ENJOYABLE TO READ. I HOPE IF YOU DO BUY IT YOU WILL SHARE WITH YOUR DAUGHTER HOW IT HAS CHANGED ONE GIRL'S LIFE. ALLOW YOURSELF TO INSPIRE, UPLIFT, AND ENTERTAIN YOUR CHILD, BUY "THE FARTHEST AWAY MOUTAIN."