The travails of 12-year-old writer, Cordelia Arbuthnott continue. Her latest literary gem is “The Girl with the Golden Pun”…the nail-biting spy parody starring Secret Agent 0007 Jane Bond (yes…the younger, twice-as-daring but modest sister of James Bond).And as usual, real-life proves to be more exciting and dangerous.There’s a new boy in class…Vladimir Vyshinksky.A strange but handsome boy (which explains why most of the girls in Cordelia’s class including Viola turn into a bunch of blithering idiots in his presence), Vlad the Lad is a strident supporter of the environment. But what devious scheme is he hatching under all that righteous indignation?? When a local pool near Vlad’s house is cordoned off due to the presence of harmful substances…..Cordelia’s suspicions are aroused. Thus begins another misadventure of plotting, planning ,spying, climbing up trees, rescuing reluctant cats, falling into mucky waters, and general all-around chaos.
However the third-instalment also deals with serious issues like global warming, carbon-footprint and others of its ilk, all nicely packaged in Ros Asquith's intelligent and humourous style. Cordelia herself, on the threshold of teenhood….manages to ponder over matters far-greater than boys and lip-gloss (as she puts it)…and displays a maturity very in keeping with today’s socially-conscious youngsters.
Contemporary, intriguing and thought-provoking...
