The Shop at Hoopers Bend

The Shop at Hoopers Bend is a quietly powerful and deeply magical story that gently unfolds in a world where fate, friendship and mystery entwine. When Jonquil unexpectedly stumbles upon an old shop bearing strange connections to her, a chain of extraordinary coincidences begins. From a market stall mug with her name to the loyal dog Pirate who chooses her, every moment adds to a growing sense of enchantment. What starts as a summer misadventure becomes a life-changing journey filled with rich characters, subtle magic, and emotional discovery. Author Emily Rodda weaves an intricate tapestry of belonging, identity, and serendipity, leaving readers questioning whether the events are mere coincidence-or something beautifully destined. This story speaks to the heart and imagination of readers aged 9+, making it a memorable classroom or independent read.

Educational Benefits:

• Explores themes of identity, friendship, and belonging through character development.
• Enhances narrative comprehension with layered plot structure and foreshadowing.
• Introduces literary devices such as symbolism, motif, and magical realism.
• Encourages empathy and reflective thinking about self-discovery and resilience.

Classroom Ideas:

• Use for a literature circle with focus on character journeys and emotional growth.
• Ask students to track the œcoincidences and write about fate versus chance.
• Create an art project designing œthe shop based on textual descriptions.
• Lead discussions on subtle magic in everyday life and how we interpret meaning.

Information:

• Ages: 9+ years
• Measurements: 19.8 cm (H) x 13.0 cm (W) x 1.6 cm (D)
• Format: Paperback novel
• Genre: Contemporary fiction with magical realism