Valentine Crow and Mr Death by Jenni Spangler

January 2023

Jenni Spangler is one of my favourite middle grade authors. Her stories are full of intrigue, strange objects and characters who always do the unexpected. Valentine Crow and Mr Death goes ten steps further with a unique, gently funny and thought-provoking tale of a young apprentice who is sent to work for the most surprising of masters! Add the fact that Jenni has illustrated this story herself and we have something absolutely brilliant!

Valentine Crow grew up in a foundling hospital in London. An orphan, he never knew his family. He only dreamed of one day being able to leave and step out into an unknown future. When Mr Death arrives to claim his new apprentice, no one knows what to say. Valentine is signed on for seven years indentured as a junior grim reaper!

Mr Death is not the dark, evil character you might expect. He isn’t the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come from A Christmas Carol or a devil-like man in a Scream mask. Instead, he honestly deals with the worst of life. He shows Valentine how to arrive in someone’s final moments and take their soul to the afterlife. This is a big responsibility and must be treated with respect.

Valentine isn’t sure what to make of this new life but embraces every challenge. His golden pocket watch shows him when and where he needs to go and he soon gets used to living in a mausoleum with his dog, Captain Bones. Mr Death has a lot to learn when it comes to caring for a mortal child but they muddle along together. It’s only when Valentine is called to the death of someone he knows that things start to go very wrong.

Despite all the funny, charming moments in this bizarre relationship, many important questions are raised. What happens after death? Where do souls go? What does it mean to be good? What would your life book say about you? This is a story to be enjoyed but also to be shared carefully. Young readers will have many different beliefs and theories about life and death, as will their families. This aspect of the story shouldn’t be taken lightly. Respect for everyone’s beliefs is key. Adults sharing this story also need to be aware of any bereavements and the questions it may raise about what has happened to loved ones.

Valentine Crow and Mr Death deals with some of the same themes as The House with Chicken Legs by Sophie Anderson. It would be interesting to discuss the two stories with children who have read both.

I love the focus on kindred spirits and how there are some people we are inexplicably drawn to in a very special way. This would be a powerful concept for children to think about and discuss.

Valentine Crow and Mr Death is a story not to be missed by lovers of middle grade fiction. It is so different from other stories – full of charm, humour and the best things in life, as well as life’s darkest moments. What happens after Mr Death has come to call is portrayed with positivity and light.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster UK Children’s and NetGalleyUK for a chance to read this fantastic story!

I have included an extract from Jenni Spangler’s first book, The Vanishing Trick, in my Contemporary Childen’s Literature reading comprehension book for Years 5 & 6.