The most borrowed author in The Queen’s Library is to visit the School in the autumn.
Robert Muchamore’s CHERUB books about teenage secret agents have proved hugely popular – and Librarian Ciara Murray reports that the Library’s latest acquisition, New Guard, the high-octane finale to the series, has been causing quite a stir. In fact, it was so eagerly awaited that Ms Murray devised a competition to decide which boys would be the first to borrow it.
“Robert Muchamore outstrips even J K Rowling here: his books account for an amazing 1,550 loans since the Library was first opened. They rarely get put back on the shelf – as soon as they are returned, someone else wants to borrow them! – so we are really looking forward to his visit.”
The books were devised when Robert Muchamore’s 12-year-old nephew complained that he could not find anything to read that interested him, and since their publication have delighted hordes of teenagers, even those who were formerly reluctant readers.
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The competition, which involved a “fiendish” quiz, was open to Years 7–10 and required entrants to show their knowledge of CHERUB, or Charles Henderson Espionage Research Unit B – a fictional British Government security agency employing children and adolescents. There were more than 100 entries.
“As a tiebreaker, boys had to tell us why they love Robert Muchamore’s books; the answers demonstrated that their appeal continues apace, even as the series draws to a close,” said Ms Murray.
Three boys stood out in the competition, achieving 100% in the quiz and giving the following tiebreaker responses:
- “There is one thing I am gutted about: Why does CHERUB have to come to an end? … I would like to take this opportunity and recommend CHERUB to everyone 11 and up. It is truly something you will get stuck into.” – Manomay Lala-Raykar, Year 7 (pictured above left).
- “They are packed with hidden surprises and suspenseful scenes….One of the things that is wonderful in the series is the character progression – how the main character (James) progresses from a lazy, arrogant child to an intelligent and skilled secret agent.” – Aadarsh Khimasia, Year 7 (pictured above right).
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“They are very different from regular generic adventure books as they aren't set off in a distant land or world, so you can imagine yourself in the situations the characters are in.” – Tarun Bhaskaran, Year 9.
A further eight runners-up proved their expertise, also achieving 100%.
Once the winners of the quiz have had their chance to read the books, New Guard will be available to all. “We are already anticipating a long waiting list!” said Ms Murray.