Snow Maze

by Jan Mark, Jan Ormerod (Illustrator)

One day, on the way to school, Joe finds a large, heavy key in the long grass. Joe thinks a giant might have dropped it; Irrum thinks it might be magic; Akash says the key is no good because it doesn't open anything. But when Joe tries the key in the lonely gate, he opens up a whole new world...

Genres: Childrens

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Janet Marjorie Mark (1943-2006) was a British children's author and two time winner of the Carnegie Medal. She also taught art and English in Gravesend, Kent, was part of the faculty of Education at Oxford Polytechnic in the early 1980s and was a tutor and mentor to other writers before her death from meningitis-related septicaemia.

Meet the author:

What is your favourite animal?
The noble rat

What is your favourite boy’s name?
George

What is your favourite girl’s name?
Marjorie

What is your favourite food?
Pickled herring

What is your favourite music?
Klezmer

What is your favourite hobby?
Listening to music

Reviews

[Mathew · Rating 4 out of 5]

On his way to school one day, Joe discovers a key in the long grass. When he shows it to one of his friends at school, Irrum, she suggests he try it in the lock of the lonely gate - a door that leads onto a farmer's field in which the walls of both sides have been lost to time. In doing so, he discovers a wonderful secret. But who will believe him?
Later a part of the 'sprinters' scheme (used for those just beginning to read independently, Snow Maze is a carefully crafted little story that takes only a few minutes to read and yet in no way does it feel like a 'Treetop' or 'Learning to Read' book. It has a strong story, dipped in ancient folklore and local knowledge and the children seem to think and act like real children would. Although possibly constrained by her breadth of language and not a patch on Nothing To Be Afraid Of (what is?); it was nevertheless a nice read and perfect for that first, independent read

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This children's book from 1992 tells the story of a boy called Joe. One day he finds a key which he is convinced is magic. He discovers the gate it unlocks and finds a secret maze that he can play in and no one else can see it.

This is a tough book to review as I do realise the target age is young children. But, I don't enjoy reading about children being bullied and I don't think it's a nice subject matter for anyone to read about.
When Joe finds this secret maze the other children pick on him and call him names. Maybe I just felt slightly uncomfortable reading it and it tainted my view, but due to that I didn't really enjoy this book.

I am sure others will, but I'd probably say if you feel bullying is a subject that might not be good for you then don't read.

This book does feature an easy story to follow and includes some illustrations to which make it a good one for the right reader.

[Chloe Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read with my Year 3 class.

[Penguinsapprentice Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be small and brave.

[SusanMJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story ‘The Snow Maze’ by Jan Mark is a lovely story for guided reading or building confidence in reading independently. It is a story about Joe, a young boy who finds a mysterious key to an overgrown door in the middle of a field. Joe tries to share the secret of the maze that lies beyond the door, yet no one but Idrum believes him. This story displays key issues of friendship, bullying and the temptation of class conformity. In regards to Akash who constantly taunted Joe, he does not get his comeuppance nor does he transform overnight. Rather, he realises Joe’s maze is real and changes his behaviour.
The mysterious element of the maze and the door is conducive to aiding in creative writing. Children could write their own accounts of what could happen through the door prior to the reveal in the book or how the key ended up in the long grass. Chapter 2 is excellent for describing the setting of the door and the field. This could be part of a unit on creating suspense and mystery and children could rewrite to inspire this element further. The class could debate the ending of the story and decide if they would share the secret maze themselves.
This book lends itself well to PSHE lessons. Its diverse characters without a focus on diversity are an important element in discussing the importance of respecting the differences and similarities between people. It goes beyond the notion of ethnicity and discusses the importance of consideration of other’s feelings, difference in personality, ideas and imagination. It explores the negative impact of teasing and how small it can make a child. It also explores the importance of determination that ideas do not need to conform in regards to what other children may think.
This book could be used in KS1 or early on in KS2.

[Matt Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy finds a key to an over grown door, on the other side of which is the titular maze. He attempts to share this with other children, but apart from his best friend they all laugh at him, because for them the maze is invisible.

This is a deceptively simple story that some of the children read during guided reading in the year three class, where I did my SBT1. There are a number of things that I really liked about it: the children are not all white and behave believably; the story is almost fantastical, but not quite, thereby capturing for me some of the essence of childhood wonder; and finally the "bully" doesn't get his comeuppance, but rather changes his behaviour and joins the protagonist in running the snow maze.

[The Styling Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Snow Maze by Jan Mark, illustrated by Jan Ormerod – Simple, yet brilliant book that addresses multiple issues: open-mindedness, being a reflective thinker, bullying… I thought the story had an interesting premise of a boy who finds a mysterious large key that opens a secret gate and door. The magical yet realistic quality of what is behind the door leads to a beautiful conclusion including acceptance, friendship, and determination. This is a book I’d label as an “oldie but goodie”.