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www.teachwire.net | 59 There is so much to discover: the history of child labour and work of chimney sweeps across Ireland and Great Britain, technological advancements in the wake of the Industrial Revolution, the impact of astronomy and people’s relationship with the stars, and the power of mathematics to make predictions – and change one’s life. Author Eve McDonnell’s research is incredibly thorough, providing abundant detail for her readers. When Brewster joins his sweep T he Last Boy is a compelling middle-grade novel that will capture readers’ hearts and minds. It tells the heartbreaking story of a young chimney sweep in 19th century Ireland. A petite boy, Brewster was sold to Master Sweep Wyer when he was just six years old. Now, at age 12, he makes a wish on a sky full of falling stars – to be the last climbing boy. This book is overflowing with historical and scientific themes. family, we start to see just how difficult this life was for such young children. As readers, we keenly feel each welt, blister, empty stomach and sooty cough. There is no escaping the horrors of these young lives. A gift for maths, probability and the science of the stars pulls Brewster into a life beyond his climbing family. His ability to work out calculations and predict the arrival of a magnificent comet draws the attention of a wealthy lady. Lady Rosse has the most amazing telescope Take a journey back in time and learn all about the last ever chimney sweep’s astronomical adventures with Eve McDonnell’s powerful novel BOOK TOP I C KATE HEAP The Last Boy illustrations © Holly Ovenden Explore the skies T E ACH RE AD I NG & WR I T I NG Published by Everything With Words, September 2024 Book topic KS2