The Stones Are Hatching facts for kids
First edition cover
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| Author | Geraldine McCaughrean |
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| Country | UK |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Young adult, Fantasy |
| Publisher | Oxford University Press |
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Publication date
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1999 |
| ISBN | 0192717979 (OUP paperback edition) |
The Stones Are Hatching is an exciting young adult fantasy novel written by Geraldine McCaughrean. It was first published in 1999 by Oxford University Press. This book tells the amazing story of a boy named Phelim Green who discovers a hidden world of magic and monsters.
Contents
The Story Begins
Phelim's Strange Discovery
Eleven-year-old Phelim Green wakes up to a big surprise. His house is full of tiny, strange creatures! They are led by a Domovoy, a house spirit who lived behind his stove. The Domovoy tells Phelim that scary monsters called 'hatchlings' are attacking. Suddenly, a giant, scary black dog attacks the house. The Domovoy saves Phelim from the dog, but then tells him he must leave his home.
A Journey into the Unknown
Confused, Phelim wanders into a deep forest. There, he meets a strange tramp who lives in a tree, known as Mad Sweeney. Later, Phelim sees a washerwoman cleaning a shirt covered in blood. He gets scared and runs away. On a bridge, he meets Alexia, a mysterious girl who has no shadow. A 'hatchling' attacks them, trying to trick Phelim into the river with shiny treasure.
Sweeney saves Phelim and Alexia. He explains that the hatchlings come from 'stones'. These stones were hatched by a giant creature called a Stoor Worm. This huge worm is buried deep under Europe. It woke up because of the loud sounds of cannons from the First World War. Alexia then tells Phelim something amazing: he is 'Jack O'Green'. He is the hero meant to stop the Worm from destroying Europe. He will be helped by the Maiden, the Fool, and the Horse.
Finding the Horse and the Worm's Head
Phelim performs a special spell to call the Horse. Soon, a talking creature made of cloth joins them. It is called the Obby Oss. The Obby Oss takes Phelim, Alexia, and Sweeney to a place called Storidge. This is where the Stoor Worm's head is located.
When they arrive, the three friends must complete many quests. They soon find out that Mr. Pringle, the librarian in Storidge, has taken control of the town. He is making everyone perform old rituals to keep the hatchlings away. Pringle learns that Phelim is Jack O’Green. He convinces Phelim to take part in an old tradition. This involves carrying a burning bale of straw across the town. Alexia takes the bale from Phelim to continue the ritual. But it sets her on fire, and she sadly dies.
The Final Battle and New Beginnings
Sweeney and Phelim use Alexia’s bones to create a ‘witch’s ladder’. They use it to climb the tall cliff to the Stoor Worm's head. At the top, Phelim sees the Worm's soul floating out of its mouth while it dreams. He bravely attacks the soul and throws it into the sea. This kills the giant Worm.
Sweeney and Phelim manage to bring Alexia back to life. But she is different now. So, they change her name to Aisling, which means ‘dream’.
Phelim returns home and talks to his older sister, Prudence. He learns that his father did not die, as Prudence had always told him. His father was a dreamer, and Prudence did not like that. After their mother passed away, Prudence sent their father away. Phelim gets angry. He calls an ushtey, a water spirit. He tricks Prudence into riding it. The spirit carries her far out to sea, and she is not seen again. As the story ends, Phelim and Aisling go to where his father was sent. They find him working happily as a gardener.
Images for kids
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First edition cover
