City of Rust - A Review
City of Rust Written by Gemma Fowler Illustrated by Karl James Mountford Published by Chicken House, 2021 Whereas the previous two books I reviewed in my series of recommended environmental reads for children are rooted in nature lore, the September offering is definitely one for the science fiction enthusiasts among us. Gemma Fowler’s City of Rust follows on from Moondust and is her first middle-grade story for children aged 9+. This dystopian novel will appeal to fans of Star Wars as well as stories such as Peter Bunzl’s Cogheart series and Pádraig Kenny’s Tin . Readers will be immediately drawn to the eye-catching cover design by Karl James Mountford that features the main character’s bio-robotic pet gecko, hinting at a junkyard world where waste is harnessed. An understanding of the setting is key and a diagram of the various Spheres and the Soup at the start of the book is a helpful addition. The author describes a...