Darius Bell and the Glitter Pool - Hardcover

Odo Hirsch was born in Australia where he studied medicine and worked as a doctor. He is now based in London. His books for children are favourites with young and old and have been translated into several languages.

More than 100 years ago, the Bell family was given a large estate as a thank-you gift for services rendered to the community. In return, every 25 years a gift must be given back to the community by the Bell family. The problem for Darius and his father, Hector, is that the family is broke and has nothing of real value to give, and they stand to lose both home and honor if they cannot come up with a solution. When an earthquake reveals a hidden cave only days before the gift is due, Darius believes he has found the answer. With an inventive cast of characters and a surprise twist at the end, this gentle, appealing story would make a terrific read-aloud for a young audience. Australian author Hirsch creates a strong sense of place in this novel, which explores the relationship between a family and its land, a father and son, and, ultimately, a man and his honor. Grades 4-7. --Melissa Moore