Harley Hitch and the Missing Moon - Vashti Hardy

 

Harley is back and this term she is determined to win the Pupil of the Term award so gone is the coloured hair, the tool belt and the tardiness; instead, Harley is focussing on her studies and is adamant she is not going to be distracted, that is until the Monocoles' Marvellous Machines Circus comes to town and she gest curious about Elle Disappearo the Great's act which uses a cabinet to transport a boy to another galaxy.  Sneaking back-stage with Cosmo, Harley just wants to see how the cabinet works so she can try to replicate it herself ... but things don't go quite as she had panned!  Then, to make matters worse, in the days that follow, lots of things begin to go missing, including the moon!  Can Harley work out what's going on and help put things right before it's too late?

I loved Harley Hitch and the Iron Forest when I read it earlier this year  (https://kandobonkersaboutbooks.blogspot.com/2021/03/harley-hitch-and-iron-forest-vashti.html ) so I was particularly excited when Harley Hitch and the Missing Moon arrived just before Christmas. I loved being back in Forgetown with all its technology, the inventions and the robots (please can I have my own Sprocket?!) and the idea of being able to get advice by fishing in the Rusty River, and the map at the beginning of the book just added to my delight.

At the beginning of the book we see a dramatic change in Harley whose determination to win the Pupil of the Term award has lead her to take drastic action.  Gone is her unique look and her desire to be different; instead she is determined to be like everyone else and I feel that she looses herself with this.  I won't say anything more for fear for spoiling things but the development is key to the story.

Just like book 1, Harley Hitch and the Missing Moon is a wonderful read that is guaranteed to draw readers in from the start.  The story is pacy, the characters are a joy to be with and George Ermos' illustrations are once again a delight .  Combine that with messages about being yourself and friendship, and I know that Vashti has another guaranteed hit on her hands.  I only have one question: what's next for Harley?!