Polly and Buster: The Mystery of the Magic Stones by Sally Rippin

Title: Polly and Buster: The Mystery of the Magic Stones

Author: Sally Rippin

Genre: Fiction

Publisher: Hardie Grant Egmont

Published: 1^st June 2018

Format: Hardcover

Pages: 304

Price: $19.99

Synopsis: What would you do if everyone thought your best friend was dangerous?

Polly the witch and Buster the monster shouldn’t be friends. And they definitely shouldn’t be on the run from almost everyone in town.

But when Polly is called to the Hollow Valley Mines – the forbidden, haunted mines – by her magic stones, these two best friends have a big decision to make.

Do they stay hidden and safe, or risk it all to save the day?

The magical sequel to The Wayward Witch and the Feelings Monster. Written and illustrated by Sally Rippin.

Longlisted for the 2019 ABIA Book of the Year for Younger Children

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Polly and Buster are back – and they are on the run from Witches Against Monsters led by Deidre Halloway. Miss Spinnaker has whisked them away to safety with her mother and step-father – and there is a discovery that surprises Polly! But when the head of Witches Against Monsters shows up, Polly and Buster run, and head towards the Hollow Valley Mines. The stones have been calling to her and she knows it has something to do with her dad who died nine years ago – so what are Polly and Buster to do?

I loved getting back into Polly and Buster’s world. As the theme of apartheid continues, with the discrimination and deceptions about what witches think about monsters and vice versa, the story illustrates the way a black and white, this or that, a culture of assumptions based on your own prejudices is often more harmful. I felt that Sally managed to get a handle on these themes well, showing them through the eyes of children who know no different than liking each other and being friends really well. She’s captured the sense of apartheid and discrimination well through the witch and monster motifs and characters.

This is the second book in the trilogy, where Polly has to go on a quest with Buster to find out about being a Silver Witch, whilst finding a way to combat the discrimination and apartheid society of Blackmoon Coven. Polly and Buster’s friendship is one that must be hidden, that most monsters and witches are judgemental of. There was one scene about halfway through the book that was very touching and I think will be a turning point, much like the climax towards the end with a witch that Polly goes to school with. These two events show that Polly and Buster’s friendship proves that many are wrong, and that people can change their minds – if only the characters that can see witches and monsters can get along can convince everyone else that they’re being judgemental. I feel like we saw the hints of this towards the end of the novel, and still got a sense that more danger – much like the violence in apartheid South Africa – was to come. It mirrors a dark world, a dark history, but through this story, perhaps we can learn how to accept people who are different and learn to embrace diversity.

This trilogy can be read by readers young and old – because children’s books tackle those tough issues, those topics we as adults may not have the language for – in ways that we can access, learn the language, and learn how to talk about things in ways younger children can read. There is a sense that this book is both comforting and confronting – it allows us to confront fears, uncertainties, and prejudices whilst giving readers of all ages, whether you read it yourself or read it out loud, a comforting message about friendship. It’s a fantastic series and I can’t wait to read the final book.