this is the fourth book in the hall family chronicles, by jane langton.

the first two, the diamond in the window, and the swing in the summerhouse, are also excellent. i haven’t read the other three books in the series, but i assume they are also very good.

in the fledgling, young georgie believes she can fly, to the disbelief of everyone else around her, and embarks on a journey that is poignant, often funny, and very magical.

i believe this particular book to be self-contained, and so it needn’t be read in sequence.

a very engaging series that might be a little scary for a younger child even if their vocabulary and reading skills were up to snuff. i would say 11 years old and up. in any case, a rich and believable world with some more adult nuances that make it a pleasure for the parent to read, as well. meaningful, gripping and imaginative.

the books are, in order:

1) the golden compas
2) the subtle knife
3) the amber spyglass

there are five books in this series by susan cooper:

1) over sea, under stone
2) the dark is rising
3) greenwitch
4) the grey king
5) silver on the tree

they all centre around the three children of the drew family, or around a different little boy named will stanton, and their collective struggle to save the world from the growing forces of darkness. the struggle feels important without being preachy and is steeped in welsh and english mythology and tradition. it is more serious and meaningful than harry potter without being heavy. i just reread the series last year to my step son (who was 11 at the time) and enjoyed it as much as i did when i was a kid.