Rory Sparkes (1) and the Elephant in the Room

Rory is quite old now, but he has lots of fun tales to tell, and his first one is all about when the circus came to town. He does admit he might just add a few not quite true bits, but they will definitely make it a better story….

 

Rory lives with his mum, dad, and incredibly infuriating older sister Clare, in a town called Brenwell Heath. Every year, Teddy Trent’s Circus comes to town and Rory and his family will go along to see all the acts. This year, one of the most exciting parts of the circus comes to him.

One day after being interrupted while talking in front of the class, he spies a girl at the window poking her tongue out at him. He instantly goes the colour of his fiery red hair, racing out of the room, almost forgetting that she happens to be held in the air by the trunk of an elephant!

After the entire class has followed, Rory and his classmates meet Evie, Flick and Fliss from the circus. The elephant is called Donna and as Evie’s best friend, has come to school too. An unfortunate incident that follows with the Rory’s teacher and headmistress, is the very best thing that has happened at All Saints Primary School in ages.

Life becomes even more exciting when Rory helps his best friend Guy with his odd-job idea to make more pocket money. They find themselves in the strange home of Madame Lowe, who everyone knows is a creepy old lady, responsible for at least one missing person. They cannot finish her jobs quick enough, but not before they spy something suspicious.

Relieved to survive, Guy keeps saving his money, Rory becomes increasingly irritated by his big sister, and Evie proves to him, that maybe running away to the circus isn’t such a great idea. Suddenly chaos erupts in the street in the form of a bright yellow paint-splattered cat, and the police are called!

What is going to happen next in Brenwell Heath?

 

From the actor best known in Australasia as Robert Crawley in Downtown Abbey and Mr Brown in the Paddington movies, Rory Sparkes is the 1st book in a new series.

Perfect for early middle-grade readers who enjoy stories about family, pranks, and mysterious neighbours – then all rolled into the wonder of a visiting circus. Main character Rory introduces himself in the beginning of the book, admitting he’s an old man now, but has a few interesting stories he’d like to share.

While Rory Sparkes and the Elephant in the Room is definitely funny, it also touches on true friendship, the story behind a bully, and misconceptions of folk in your neighbourhood.

An entertaining read for young readers, with fun illustrations sprinkled throughout the book too.

 

Author – Hugh Bonneville

Age – 7+

Publisher – Bloomsbury

 

 

 

 

 

(2025, Bloomsbury, Direct Address, Breaking the Fourth Wall, Narrator speaks directly to reader, Humour, Animals, School, Series, Friendship, Bullies, Elderly Neighbour, Misconceptions, Circus, Sibling Rivalry, Siblings, Toilet Humour)

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