This story by Lucy Strange pulls no punches and shows the horrors of children working dangerous jobs in mines in 1800s England.

George's family is poor, and the men in his family work in the coal mines (George's mother has also in the past). Nine-year-old George is scared to go underground, but there are children younger than him already working. And though George can read and write well, and wants to do something other than mine coal, right now, his family needs him working beside his father and uncle. That night, George makes an important discovery: a book about myths was hidden in the chimney in his room.

George's first day is hard work, and he finds the tunnels oppressive. George learns that his father's elder brother died in the tunnels years earlier. Once home, George reads about the tale of the minotaur trapped in the labyrinth.

George's younger sister Hannah also wants to work in the mine, and decides to accompany George and their father. She's set up to manage one of the doors to the mine. When the mine begins to flood because of rain, the miners congregate in one area, but George notices that very few of the kids are with them, and he goes to look for them, and sees glimpses of the dark figure of the minotaur, guiding him.

I enjoyed Lucy Strange's "The Mermaid and the Millpond" and was impressed with how skillfully the author melded the fantastic with a story about children in a terrible situation. She does it again in a claustrophobic story about people with no choice but to work in terribly dangerous conditions, and bring children in with them to do jobs requiring either their small size, or lack of skill or strength.

George is the point of view, but his family is well drawn, with loving parents, a mischievous younger sister, and an angry uncle still reeling with grief, years after a loss.

I liked how subtly the minotaur was used in this story. It's possible to read this as a ghostly figure, but also as a figment of George's imagination. Either way, it's a device that is handled well.

This is a difficult story to get through, and I was horrified to learn that Strange based this on an actual incident in which many children were killed underground in a Yorkshire mine.

Even with the weighty material, this is a story of a boy with dreams, and you end his story feeling hope. Pam Smy's beautiful illustrations wonderfully complement the affecting prose.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Barrington Stoke for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Lucy Strange has a gift for taking moments and significant events from the past and crafting them into captivating novellas for modern day readers making reading engaging and educational. Her first collaboration with Barrington Stoke, The Mermaid in the Millpond, was a brilliant exploration of life and times in the cotton mills of Victorian Britain. This time, she delivers a haunting and eerie story within a Welsh mining community that has an all too real tragedy at its heart.

Money is tight for George and his family and his dreams of learning more have to be put on hold when he is forced to take a job down the local coal mine with his dad. The days are long, dark and dangerous and when a storm floods the mine, George is faced with life or death decisions. Trapped with little chance of escape, a shadowy figure, one that seems strangely familiar to George, is beckoning him. Should George trust the minotaur? Will it guide him to safety or is George destined to meet the same tragic fate as his long-lost uncle…

Sombre, heartfelt and hopeful; Lucy Strange finds light amongst the darkness. In another superlative and accessible Barrington Stoke read, a master storyteller weaves historical event with Greek myth in a moving exploration of family, poverty, harsh realities, young hopes and incredible acts of bravery.

Capturing the readers attention right from the start before bringing them, and the child protagonists, through to a safe ending, The Storm and the Minotaur is enthralling. Hearts will be racing and pulses pounding as the utterly gripping race-for-survival meters below ground unfolds. Proving books don’t have to be long to be brilliant, this brims with peril, is fraught with tension and overflows with emotion.

Hard hitting at times, touching and moving at others, Lucy has crafted a wonderful story that is beautifully embellished by Pam Smy’s stunning and atmospheric illustrations that help readers visualise life, both at home and at work, for the mining community. A different era that, despite all of the differences from the world today, is not that long ago is richly evoked here.

Life in the mines was extremely dangerous, the conditions awful and the work back-breaking. And whilst George’s story is fictional, the sobering truths that Lucy portrays, accompanied by a moving historical note that references the Huskar Pit tragedy, leave little to the imagination and do not shy away from life down the mines. Impactful and poignant, it offers an excellent starting point for discussing working conditions and what life as a child could be like making it a superb text to accompany a Victorian era study.

Recommended for 9+.

I have only read one other book by the author, but given my perfunctory glance at the others she has written, it seems to show that she does focus on historical fiction. There is a seriousness to her portrayals and the settings that are sometimes missing from books that can target this age range. Although adults can read it as well, it does work well for children.
This story comes with slight background information about the actual event that the author drew the narrative from and the concept of young people working in mines.
Like the previous one I read, it was not a large volume. It is not a graphic novel in the sense of having panels and having the characters speak in the word bubbles, but it does have art that sets the mood (which, in this case, is quite sombre).
Despite having lost a family member to the mines before, it appears to be the only option for young children to aspire to in a small mining town. When our lead protagonist is forced into the profession, he goes on his first day with trepidation and concern. All of his emotions are justified when something goes wrong. Along with a possible supernatural hand guiding them, the children try to find ways out of their predicament.
It felt very potent for the minimalist look of the book. The amount of writing or art is not equal to the emotions they manage to convey together.
I highly recommend this for younger adults since it brings to life a type of narrative they may not otherwise find!
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

Lucy Strange has such a magical way with words and in this series, tense, myths inspired story, she is at the top of her game!

The Storm and the Minotaur was short and sweet. Drawing on the history of children put to work down the mine, it combined myth and reality for a heartwarming story of survival.

George is proud to start mining with his father when he leaves school at 12 but the mine is dark and scary and dangerous, like a Greek labyrinth.
George’s love of Greek mythology helps him overcome his fear. An excellent story for high interested low reading age.
Nothing inappropriate for younger readers.
Great publication by Barrington Stoke as always.
Thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Lucy Strange combines history with myth in this heart-stopping story about a young boy who works in a coal mine.

George's dad is super proud that his son is about to join him in the coal mine. But George doesn't want to work in the mine that was responsible for his death of his uncle.

Stuck in the dank, darkness that comes with being underground, George begins to see a strange figure. And when everyone is placed in sudden and desperate peril, George must make a quick decision. Should he put his trust in the creature or not?

This is an enthralling story based on both Theseus and the Minotaur and a true-life mining event which Lucy Strange writes about at the back of the book. For me, reading this information only made the story more powerful and poignant, as we step back in time and experience what it was like to be a young miner.

Merging fact and fiction felt very clever. It gave the story a magical feel, full of atmosphere and intrigue, which made it easier to digest the uncomfortable reality of George's daily life. It also reignited my respect and empathy for people in the past; honest, hard-working people who grafted everyday in difficult conditions.

This is a double history lesson in one and we highly recommend it.

Powerfully evocative look at a mining community in Yorkshire, perhaps in the 1830s when some true events relevant to the plot actually happened. Our hero ought to be staying on at school, or trying for better work, but he knows he has to follow his father and uncles down the coal mine, and work for his living. After all, he is nine, and he has his ABCs. But, in his heart of hearts, he's a bookish lad, and surprised to find himself not alone in that, when he discovers an old belonging of his older uncle Mal, since passed. It's a collection of Greek myths, and they are right up our lad's street. But when they inspire nightmarish visions of the Minotaur – that horrid half-bull denizen of the dark – that's only going to be a dreadful experience to take down to the seams with him, surely?

Happily giving just enough context for the young workers down the pit, this concentrates on the story, and what a story it is. Short – an adult will read this in half an hour, max – it packs a punch. You get the dread and wonder of the underworld, and just enough of the life snatched away that the first day in the pit represents. I was so grateful for it to not to go into a harangue about historical work conditions, child labour, slavery, whatever else could be pegged to its frame… Wonderfully combining the wonder of the magical with the grit and sourness of the terrible work conditions (all of which is only enhanced by the artist), this is a fine volume, well worth considering. And when it's been curated by Barrington Stoke people, and edited to suit anyone with a reading age of eight, many young reluctant readers and dyslexics a few years older than that will think this a five star success.

I really enjoyed this heartfelt visit to a Welsh mining community set in the past . The story is short, but it’s quite moving. I really liked the combination of Greek mythology and a mining community. I don't want to give away the plot but I found it very touching!
I also loved the illustrations by Pam Smy which capture the atmosphere of the story perfectly.
My only niggle is that I didn’t believe George was nine, but this is possibly because the story is written in first person present tense (which I find distances me from the character).
Overall a great read.

I don’t usually read books aimed at children but this one called out to me and I’m glad it did. The way the reality of life for coal mining families is put into an accessible and vivid story is beautifully done. The mythical element is symbolic and gave the story a flavour of fantasy that I loved. Also, it didn’t deter from the historical elements.
I loved George, he is an old soul and shows how we do not have to live within societal expectations.
This is a short book that you could easily read at anytime, likely to be a good one for schools.
Overall a story about family, finding your path in life, facing fears and listening to history. The subject may be heavy but overall the message was hopeful. A lovely read made even more so due to the amazing illustrations.
Thank you to NetGalley and Barrington Stoke for an E-ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

Having only read one previous Lucy Strange novel, I was intrigued to see how her skilful use of language would translate into a quick read (90 pages aprox). The result is a fast-moving, tense and no less satisfying novel. Would be a good book recommendation to reluctant readers or to use as a class-text. The story is set in 19th century north of England and follows a young boy, George, who reluctantly leaves school at a young age to follow his father into the dangerous mining world. In the short page count I felt you really got to know the back story to George and also get a sense of the setting with a description of life at the time. The story also covers the harshness of just how many very young children were forced to go and work down the mines before the Mines act in 1842 which abolished allowing children aged under 10 from working in them. A great, hard-hitting read. Will look forward to reading some more Lucy Strange books.

George is dreading it. But his dad has been looking forward to him joining him in the local coal mine. After all, his uncles worked in the mine too, along with many others in their tiny English town. This included many children even younger than George, and his uncle Jake liked to remind him of it.

But George would much rather stay at school. He was good at his letters and writing, and even helped his teacher with the younger children. He even dared to imagine other ways to help his family put food on the table, that didn't include the mine.

When the day came, and his insides swirled, George climbed down the ladder into the dark mine after his father. He was lucky in one way, to be working alongside his dad as he dug out the coal in the walls in the mine. He tried to take his mind elsewhere, to avoid the thoughts of a explosion that took many lives years before. This build up of gases and blast also killed one of his uncles. No one spoke of it now.

George had found a book that had belonged to Uncle Mal, and wondered whether he too wished for more in life than the mine. The book filled his thoughts down in the dark, and he even thought he saw something from it in the darkness? It made his heart beat faster, but little did George know there was an even bigger threat on its way.


Based on a true event in a Yorkshire mine, The Storm and the Minotaur perfectly captures a snapshot of time in 1830's Yorkshire. Life is simple but hard, with children as young as six years old descending into a coal mine daily for work.

Main character George is a gentle soul, wanting more in life than the generations before him, but is trapped by expectation and poverty. Luckily this story's ending has a much better outcome than the tragic real life event it is based on, but the thought of children so young working in such a dangerous environment is tragic in itself.

Written with young dyslexic readers in mind, the text is set out clearly on the page, with paragraphs set slightly apart, and illustrations to break up the story. These illustrations capture the scenes of George's life both outside and inside the mine.

At only 85 pages, this is a quick read, but skillfully holds a complete story of poverty, coal mining, expectation, fear, courage and finally hope for a better future.

Barrington Stoke specialize in books for Dyslexic readers, which are also perfect for reluctant readers or those preferring a succinct format.

Although the thought of such young children needing to work this way to help their families survive is a disturbing one, I really enjoyed The Storm and the Minotaur.

Dyslexic Title - Reading Age 8 - Interest Age 9+

In a Nutshell: A hard-hitting yet touching story about children who worked in mines in the nineteenth century. Emotional and tense. Powerful in impact. Great illustrations.

Story Synopsis:
Nine-year-old George isn’t too happy when he has to stop attending school and work in a mine just as his dad and uncle do. But with the family’s financial situation being precarious, he has no choice. His dad tries hard to make his son’s time at work pleasant. However, just a few days after George begins work, a summer storm leads to a flood in the mine. When George and the other kids are trapped inside, a strange figure seems to be guiding them to safety.
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of George.

I had read this author’s ‘The Mermaid in the Millpond’ and had been impressed by how well she wrote a story about a dark historical reality combined with a mythical element. She has recreated the same magic this time.

This is not an easy story to read, and I do not say so with respect to the vocabulary. The tale covers several sad events and can be emotionally affecting. Today’s children might not even know about mines and the dangers they posed, so this book will offer great insight into what it meant to be a child miner about two hundred years ago.

I did wonder how a minotaur would fit in a story set in the industrial revolution era, but trust me, the author has woven this into the narrative with such finesse that you won’t even question it. At the same time, the mythological aspects are not overwhelming, so kids who are not fans of mythology needn’t worry.

Though a relatively short book, the development of the key characters is amazing. George, his parents, his younger sister and his uncle all come across in a realistic way. Even the minor characters such as Miss Brown (George’s teacher) leave an impact though they have minimal scenes.

Despite the heavy content, the book pushes in moments of happiness whenever it can. The bond between father and son is amazing, and comes out not just through words but through simple gestures such as eating together on the first day of work or having fun with the stream water. Through a secret storybook that George discovers in his room, we also get to see how books can provide solace and escape from daily drudgery.

The author is also great at creating a strong visual effect through her writing. Every scene comes alive through her words. She doesn’t go overboard on the details of the mine, but offers just enough for us to understand how dangerous the work was. Her scenic descriptions are also spot on.

This book presents plenty of opportunities for discussions in class and even at home. Right from the dangers of mining to child labour issues and laws, to poverty during the industrial revolution, to Greek mythology, to the more practical themes such as the importance of education and of listening to your parents, the story is filled with points that can add a great deal of knowledge and value.

The illustrations by Pam Smy are the perfect addition to an already perfect story. Smy captures the emotions of the characters especially well. To create such an impact with B&W sketches isn’t easy, but the illustrator manages this wonderfully.

The historical note penned by the author provides a sombre description of the real-life incident that inspired this story. Don’t miss reading this.

As is usual with the books by this publisher, the story is written in a Hi-Lo style, with the content being suitable for ages 9+ but edited to a reading language of 8 years so as to make it accessible to a wider range of readers. I have read and loved more than a dozen books by this publisher, and have come to equate their name with quality.

Definitely recommended to middle graders. This works as an excellent resource if you are looking for books with meaningful content, great discussion value, and historical insights.

4.5 stars.

My thanks to Barrington Stoke and NetGalley for the DRC of “The Storm and the Minotaur”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

What a book! This is a story about a boy who wants a better future, but sadly just like other children in the mining town, he ends up in a coal mine working in the dark for a meagre amount of money.

There is this overwhelming feeling of helplessness as sadness and despair accepted and disguised as normality, the way of life. It is a rather heavy book for that reason.

Will definitely use it in one of my courses in the future.

This is a forthcoming Barrington Stoke title with an interest level of around 9-12, but a reading age of 8. However, like many of their offerings, it not only provides accessibility for less confident or reluctant readers but a great deal more besides.

It is a tale of coal mining in the early Nineteenth Century, of its serious dangers and especially of the plight of the very young children who worked down in the dark tunnels. Lucy Strange sensibly begins with enough factual information to give the story context, but not so much as to be off-putting to less secure readers.

Her limited language palate in no way restricts the emotional and thematic colours with which she is able to paint. Nor does her story have any less impact for the straightforwardness of its telling. Within a simple, though very dramatic, story structure, the author’s secret is to focus on exactly the actions, words and thoughts which give real depth to her characters and especially their relationships. The feelings exchanged between son and father are particularly strong and affecting, as is narrator George’s response to his dead uncle.

So often, Lucy Strange includes the telling details that bring her story to vivid and compelling life. Coal dust in the creases around a miner father’s mouth, hundreds of thunder bugs tickling a bare arm, a cap dunked in a cold stream on a scorching day; these are little things that ignite vivid pictures in readers’ minds and lure them deep into vicarious experience.

This title is certainly very successful in meeting Barrington Stoke’s important ambition of ‘high interest, low ability’. However, the best of its titles, including this one, will make very satisfying short reads for more confident readers too.

A real bonus for this title is provided by Pam Smy’s illustrations, evocative images which not only support comprehension for less confident readers, but also contribute strongly to the impact of the story.

(A full review can be found on my blog Magic Fiction Since Potter.)

This is a fabulous new title from Strange and Smy that I know my readers will enjoy. It's a short story but it packs a punch. The prose is sparse but taught and the pictures are atmospheric and add another whole level to the story. The story blends history and myth but in a gentle way,

This powerful little novel - written by Lucy Strange and illustrated by Pam Smy - weaves together history and Greek mythology to tell an often heartbreaking tale about a cornerstone of British industrial heritage: mining. George is nine years old, and the time has come for him to leave school and join his father in the mines. It doesn’t matter that he can read and write better than anyone in his family, or that tragedy has already struck his own in the mines. George must start contributing. Deep underground, through tight spaces and thick air, George keeps catching glimpses of the Minotaur. When another tragedy starts to unfold, will George be able to escape his own underground maze?

Partly based on a true story, this is an impactful tale which introduces the realities of life for many children in the 19th century. The language is well-pitched and accessible for children to read independently, and the striking illustrations draw the reader into George’s world. This would be a fantastic book to use in the classroom for a focused study on industrial history or for looking at what life was like for children in different periods of history - especially in the North of England. The incorporation of the Minotaur is a clever way of bringing in the sense of mystery and fear - and a nice opportunity to think about the Theseus and the Minotaur story from a different perspective, too!

This story written by Lucy Strange and illustrated with the mesmeric artwork of Pam Smy tells the tale of children working in mines in the early 19th century. George is 9 year's old and is expected to join his dad and uncle working in the coal mines of Yorkshire; he is already a year older than expected to work in the mine. George is anxious and having learned to read and write would rather remain in school but for many this is seen as needless when a life in the mine is expected. Tucked away in his bedroom chimney, he discovers a book of Greek myths which had belonged to his dead Uncle Mal- who tragically died in a mining explosion.
George begins the work which is exhausting and finds solace and calm in the nightly reading of the book- in particular the story of Theseus and the Minotaur. When heavy rain causes flooding in the mine, it is George who volunteers to rescue some of the other children working deep underground including his young sister. He is guided from tragedy and helps the children escape by a mysterious ghost like figure of a minotaur could it be his uncle Mal communicating with him? This is an excellent story and is ideal for opening up discussion with 8-11 year olds about working conditions of children in the early Victorian era and before; the link to the storm and the flooding in the mine was inspired by true events of 1838 when 26 children drowned. Pam Smy's imagery captures the intensity of the mine, George 's despair and the drama of the flood. The prose by Lucy Strange is perfect for an individual read for a Ks2 reader or a whole class book. Highly recommended