Bodder Finn at the Edge of the World by Phil Cummings

I am sure you do this too - trying to predict the direction a plot will take as you turn each page. I am so happy to say I was utterly wrong in this story. This tale has an enormous twist which I absolutely did not predict. The three kids in this story are on a wild ride into the unknown and as a reader you are on your own wild ride. 

Phil Cummings also deliberately ends nearly each chapter with a cliff hanger.

Here are some of the cliff hangers:

"And so ... he climbed onto the old metal steps ... and down he went."

"Bodder pushed his back hard against the splintery wood and held his breath."

"But no one, not even a child with an imagination like Bodder's, could ever predict how far his journey would take him, and what he was about to discover."

"Whatever was out there, it was restless."

"What will tomorrow bring? he wondered."

It is difficult to talk about this book because I do not want to spoil the plot twist. 

Publisher blurb: Bodder Finn, of Middle Spot Village in Alibon, is a very curious child. When his father travels to the remote coastal village of Light’s Edge, Bodder jumps at the chance to join him, along with his sister Ailie and his best friend Olo. Bodder is keen to see the Shadow Rim: the band of grey that surrounds Alibon at the edge of the orb’s light, before disappearing into the terrifying darkness of the Forever Night. But Bodder gets more adventure than he bargained for when thunderous rocks fall from the sky, making waves that sweep him, Ailie and Olo out to sea on their small boat … and plunging all of Alibon into darkness. With no light to guide them, the trio must survive the perils of the Forever Night and find their way home, without falling off the waterfall at the edge of the world …

If you are book talking Bodder Finn at the Edge of the World with your class or library group you could briefly explain the main characters - Bodder Finn, his sister Ailie, his best friend Olo and the adults - Webly (Bodder's father), Larn (Olo's father) and Tooby (the inn keeper) - and then read Chapter Eight.

You can read the first six chapters here and see a map of Alibon. And here are some discussion questions.

This is an exciting adventure story that will delight young fantasy readers. It’s full of charm, and the mysteries of the world are slowly and carefully revealed, satisfying your curiosity while raising new questions to keep you turning pages. Readings Melbourne

This is a delightful adventure filled with a gigantic twist that I didn’t see coming. Lamont

I am going to predict that Bodder Finn at the Edge of the World will be a 2027 CBCA Younger Readers Notable title. If you are looking for a story to read in your family at bedtime this is one you definitely should seek out. 

When I saw Bodder Finn at the Edge of the World I thought how exciting to discover a novel by Phil Cummings whose work you are sure to know from all the picture books he has created since his first book in 1989 - Goodness Gracious illustrated by Craig Smith. (Just as an aside how lucky was Phil Cummings to have art from Craig Smith for his first book - amazing). Phil Cummings is the author of nearly one hundred books. I have talked about many of them here on this blog including one just a few days ago - Millie and the Frame of Wonder.

I also thought Bodder Finn at the Edge of the World could be a first full novel for Phil Cummings but I now discover there have been others - even some I may have read long ago The Great Jimbo Jones (Solo series); The Rented House; Angel; Danny Allen was here; Take it easy Danny Allen; A Piece of Mind; Spike (Solo series); and Chook Shed Snake (I may have missed some). 

I am huge fan of maps in books, and I am sure readers will find themselves referring to this one as they follow the adventure.

Special mention - this book has such an inviting cover. The art you can see there is by Phil Lesnie and he did the map too. Phil Lesnie did the art in these picture books by Phil Cummings:

The plot of this book is not really related but as I read Bodder Finn at the Edge of the World I thought about this book by Odo Hirsch (yes, it is out of print but is sure to be in your school library):

Bartlett and the Ice Voyage