Iris and the Tiger

Book excerpt: Twelve-year-old Iris has been sent to Spain on a mission: to make sure her elderly and unusual aunt, Ursula, leaves her fortune–and her sprawling estate–to Iris’s scheming parents. But from the moment Iris arrives at Bosque de Nubes, she realises something isn’t quite right. There is an odd feeling around the house, where time moves slowly and Iris’s eyes play tricks on her. While outside, in the wild and untamed forest, a mysterious animal moves through the shadows. Just what is Aunt Ursula hiding? But when Iris discovers a painting named Iris and the Tiger, she sets out to uncover the animal’s real identity–putting her life in terrible danger. Leanne Hall is an author of novels for young adults including the Text Prize-winning This Is Shyness and its sequel Queen of the Night. Iris and the Tiger is her first work for younger readers. Leanne has had shorter pieces published in Meanjin, Age, Best Australian Stories and the anthology Growing Up Asian In Australia. Her work plays with the borders of reality and fantasy. Leanne has worked in the arts, educational publishing and as a bookseller, but her enduring passion is for youth literature. ‘The surrealist magic is the most refreshing element of the book: it’s a kind of magical realism that is unusual in children’s and YA fantasy...Iris and the Tiger will appeal to older primary and younger high-school readers who like magic and are, like Iris, bored by teen romances.’ Books+Publishing ‘Iris and the Tiger is its own piece of surrealist art. It’s inexplicably wondrous and confusing...It’s confusing if you try to explain it too much. But it resonates, and it offers you a glimpse into a new world. And it defies labels, and challenges preconceptions.’ CBCA Reading Time ‘This is a very special book...I love that younger readers get to experience the writing of Leanne Hall, and I especially love that Iris and the Tiger will also surprise and delight older readers alike.’ Alpha Reader ‘Iris and the Tiger has all the hallmarks of a classic children’s novel...A great adventure novel.’Readings ‘Full of surprises and unexpected turnings.’ Magpies ‘I absolutely loved Iris and the Tiger! Leanne Hall enchanted me with her tale of magic and mystery.’ My Best Friends Are Books ‘Leanne Hall’s charming adventure story for younger readers takes classic tropes of children’s literature and gives them a surprising twist.’ Age/Sydney Morning Herald ‘A quirky, cleareyed enchantment. More like this, please!’ Kirkus ‘Enchanting...Bound to appeal to tweens glimpsing the excitement of growing up.’ Daily Telegraph ‘The writing flows so naturally that you are easily taken along on this journey with Iris...This is a book that just keeps giving.’ New Zealand Book Council ‘This is a wonderful story of finding your true self (and true friends) in a foreign land.’ Best Middle Fiction Books of 2016, Readings ‘Inspired by surrealist art, Leanne Hall’s book is full of wondrous details...This is magic realism translated for a middle primary audience.’ Best Books of 2016, Sydney Morning Herald ‘A stunning, surreal tale for younger readers.’ Favourite Feminist Reads of 2016, Feminist Writers Festival ‘Fantasy fans will delight in the wackiness, the surprising plot, and the family secrets revealed. Best of all is Iris’ growing confidence amid the chaos.’ Booklist ‘There are lots of twists in this book and I never knew what was going to happen next...Recommended to anyone who likes magical adventure stories.’ Kookie Magazine