From the back cover: "Ten-year-old Milly had always dreamed of living in the country and owning all sorts of animals. So when her parents buy a piece of land and move their six children into a ninety-year-old bar, Milly can't believe her luck. But she never imagined that living the simple life would include mucking out a filthy water tank, gathering endless supplies of firewood, clearing the land, and rescuing animals in a 'hundred year' storm. Nor did she expect to hear deep groanings in the night..."
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National Library Entry
Where lions roar at night : the fun and adventures of a 'pioneering' New Zealand family / Rosie Boom Date: 2008 By: Boom, Rosie, 1956- Identifier: ISBN 9781921161186 (hbk.) SeriesBoom, Rosie, 1956- Barn chronicles ; 1
Notes: New Zealand author.
First book in The Barn Chronicles series.
First published in pbk.: Hamilton, N.Z. : Boom Tree Publishing, c2008.
Reprinted 2011.
2nd ed.
Target audience: Ages 9+
Publisher: Belmont, Vic. : HSM Publishing, c2008 Format: 228 p. : ill., map ; 22 cm
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Rosie and Chris Boom and their six children: Jacob, Ellie, Kate, Milly, Josiah and Samuel move onto a property in Northland to build a house. While the house is being built, they move into the old barn on the land and make it home. The adventurous stories of this family are told through Milly, their 10-year-old daughter.
The family homeschools and works hard to live off the land, so most of their 'living' is right there on the farm. The book contains the adventures, trials and family times of this close and wholesome lot.
I think this book would make a great family read-aloud. I love how it is set in New Zealand and the close family works together through everything. I have homeschool friends who have actually gone up to the Northland region and visited the farm. They have seen the Red Barn and met the family. They just love the book series.
Personally, I found the stories raced together and there was very little character development, so it made for very light reading. Though I am an adult, the simple narrative may be perfect for children and young people to read. My overall reading experience does shadow in comparison to the wholesome content and relevance of this homeschool family. I highly recommend this book series.
"Where Lions Roar at Night" is part of a set of four books in The Red Barn Chronicles. The subsequent books are additional years in Milly's life. You can purchase singularly or as a set in this slipcase. The books themselves are beautiful. They are hardcover with fabric-bound spines. They feel beautiful to hold and read, and look great on the shelf!
I won't be reviewing the rest of the books in this series as they are all very similar.
Rosie Boom has her own blog and website for local purchasing information.