TYHE BALLARD OF MELODIE ROSE BY KATE GORDON

The Ballard of Melonie Rose follows on from the Heartsong of Wonder Quinn and we are back at Direleaf Hall. Melodie has been left on the doorstep of the school and is welcomed by Ms Gallow, the headmistress and her grandmother. Melodie has been abandoned by her mother after her father’s death, and is not sure if she is alive or a ghost. Her life as she knew it has gone and the joy of singing has abandoned her too. Her parents always loved her songs and now all she can do is hum. She feels invisible.

Melodie meets three real ghosts who befriend her. Together with Florence, Lucy and Nell she needs to formulate a plan to save Direleaf Hall. A mysterious Lady in White has been visiting Ms Gallow and pressuring her into selling. Poor Ms Gallow is weakening as the burden of looking after the school and the few remaining students is taking its toll.

Melodie with the help of bad-tempered crow, Hollowbeak, tries to figure out who the Lady in White is, and why she wants to destroy Direleaf Hall. The little band of girls try various ways of getting the evil woman to change her mind but so far, they have not succeeded.

Melodie enlists the help of the school bully Ines Amontillado who seems to be the only other person who can actually see her.

Melodie and her friends plot and plan but can they really save Direleaf Hall and all who find sanctuary within its walls? Each of them has a personal reason for keeping the Hall safe from destruction. The three ghost girls are tied to the school until they find the reason they need to leave. Hollowbeak is there to help Melodie, just as he was for Wonder Quinn. Ines feels safe here even if it means being mean. Nothing at her home is warm or loving and it is only here she can see a glimmer of belonging. And Melodie? She has to figure out whether she is s a ghost or a girl and believe that her mother will return for her one day.

Kate Gordon’s second novel set in the wonderful Direleaf Hall examines the themes of loss, belonging and abandonment. Also running through the novel, is the notion of stardust. Belonging to a greater entity or larger whole, a thoughtful question for some readers to ponder.

 For Ages: 10 + years

Number of Pages: 244 in paperback form.

Published: June 2021

Themes: Belonging, being seen and abandonment

Rating: 3.5/5