I suspect that they might want to read this title for the same reason I did - the cover. Titles like Scaramouche and the Scarlet Pimpernel. This is a novel that many YA's would like and perhaps could lead them to read the classics of this Scaramouche sub-genre. Personally, I think that the historical novel portions with its shades of Dickensian Tale of Two Cities could have stood on its own without the introduction of the magic. As a reader this sudden addition of fantasy elements just didn't seem to fit and created confusion for me as reader. However, this novel adds in elements of fantasy that don't seem to fit and come out of nowhere in the middle of the book. Sometimes authors have to do that in order to place the characters in the historical events when there may be no historically accurate way to do it. The author says that she deviated from the historical record in several places and I don't have a problem with that. Is it historical fiction? Is it fantasy? The historical fiction parts of the book are well done. This is another YA novel that can't quite decide what it wants to be. It enticed me to listen to the book so whoever designed it should get a raise. No matter my quibbles with the novel that cover is a winner! By itself it deserves to have 5 stars. The book has a great spirit of adventure, which I believe will translate to make this a hugely popular family film.Red Necklace by Sally Gardner has been on my TBR list ever since I saw the cover. My daughter and all her friends who raved about Harry Potter, now rave about 'The Red Necklace'.

Dominic West said: “I am delighted to be developing Sally’s wonderful book for film. In January 2010 West will be starring for Disney/Pixar in the upcoming film JOHN CARTER OF MARS directed by Andrew Stanton. Development will take place in the UK, where West is currently directing an episode of Jimmy McGovern’s MOVING ON for LA Productions, and where he has recently completed a sell out run in LIFE IS A DREAM at The Donmar Warehouse. The deal secures first options over the further books in the series, including THE SILVER BLADE, first published in the UK by Orion Books. Dominic West is celebrated for his portrayal of ‘Jimmy McNulty’ in THE WIRE, on which he was also a director in its award winning final season.

The actor and director Dominic West and his production company White Soup have announced the acquisition of the film and television rights to THE RED NECKLACE by Sally Gardner.

The red necklace by sally gardner