My least favourite character in this book is Chief Iwe because he treats people horribly and is very ungrateful and rude to everyone he comes across. Pursued by those who want her dead, Ada sets off on an incredible journey which tests her strengths to their limit with just her close friends, the guidance of her ancestors and her own self-belief to help her. I thought the book was very interesting because a little girl was lost in the rain forest and an old man took her in and looked after her.

This is a gripping adventure story that offers something fresh and original to the middle grade historical fiction market.When reading this book, you become completely absorbed into the culture of the West African people … because the story is rich and gripping. It subtly weaves in historical learning subjects throughout the story, which is wonderfully written and gripping the whole way through. While Eze is away consulting a diviner, Ada with the help of Mbe, Eze’s apprentice, risks a journey of her own to find some Golden-leaf bark as she has noticed Eze is becoming weaker.

A riveting historical adventure… as much about friendship and loyalty and the bonds of family as a quest for identity. Featuring a strong female protagonist, the book opens up the chance to discuss identity, heritage and belonging. Bringing this historical context to life, the novel provides the context to explore and discuss the influence of this ancient kingdom.Children of the Benin Kingdom is fast paced adventure story, set in one of Africa’s most fascinating civilisations, the Edo Kingdom of Benin. Polly Crosby tells ReadingZone about her novel, This Tale is Forbidden (Scholastic), a fractured fairy tale set in a dystopian world. But when Papa Eze himself becomes ill, he knows it's time to reveal to Ada her true heritage - time for her to travel deep into the forest to discover the ancient Edo kingdom of Benin, and to use everything within her power to heal the terrible divisions that are tearing the kingdom apart.

Spelling Seeds have been designed to complement Writing Roots by providing weekly, contextualised sequences of sessions for the teaching of spelling that include open-ended investigations and opportunities to practise and apply within meaningful and purposeful contexts, linked (where relevant) to other areas of the curriculum and a suggestion of how to extend the investigation into home learning.

Ada must now travel deep into the forest and discover the ancient Edo kingdom of Benin, connect with her past and to use everything within her power to heal the terrible divisions that are tearing the kingdom apart. The story is rich in historical detail and the cultural traditions of West Africa and as accurate historical fiction it is also perfect for celebrating Black history.