The Red Judge

Book excerpt: When Zed finds himself caught up in an innocent prank with his sister which goes horribly wrong, his whole world falls apart. With Cary lying desperately ill in hospital and Zed apparently to blame, he is cruelly cast aside by his adoptive family and returns to what was his idyllic childhood home, in search of the people who cared for him and the places he loved. Once there, Zed is haunted by the old legend of the Red Judge of Plynlimon Mountain, who, as every child knows, comes to 'get you' if you are naughty. Forced to flee the house, Zed embarks on a magical journey in search of somewhere to belong, but it seems that the Red Judge is never far behind. Smarties Prize-winning author Pauline Fisk turns this poignant story of one unloved boy into a tale of wonder, combining myth, magic and startlingly beautiful imagery to create an unforgettable novel. A companion title to Sabrina Fludde.