Twitch

Often, I read books like Twitch with a very clear agenda in mind–to decide whether to read it with my book club. One chapter in, and I was sure I would not. The beginning seemed rather too violent for me to read with a group online, when I cannot necessarily gauge how each child is reacting to it. It’s a terrible scene, which comes alive with a graphic description of how a group of bullies would kill a pigeon.

The next chapter seemed equally violent, but by then, I was sucked into the story. And soon, there was no stopping me. I read on and on, enjoying the pace, the descriptions and the style of the story. I love the gentleness of the narrative, and the fact that it lets the reader fully experience the poetry and beauty of nature. Twitch, the protagonist, is a sensitive, observant character, who makes us listen to the dawn chorus as the birds around him awake. He makes us feel the hushed anticipation of a swallow with her second clutch of eggs, as well as the oystercatcher by the water.

Alongside this very quiet character, though, we also have adventure and mystery. Robber Ryan has escaped! Six magpies (six for gold, remember?) make Twitch think he’s the one who will find the missing loot, but with a dangerous criminal on the loose, he needs to be careful.

A story about choosing our friends wisely, trying to figure out whom to trust, coming together to fight, and above all, the splendour of nature, Twitch is a lovely book, one that I’m so happy to have read!