Book Review: Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky, by Will Kostakis

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A fast-paced story of loss, love and magic that pulls at the heartstrings.

Feature image credit: Allen & Unwin

Australian author Will Kostakis writes for kids and teens. Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky is his debut middle-grade story.

It is about a boy called Otis Ottley who lives in West Orlow. Everything seems normal in West Orlow, except there is a giant island that floats above the town. Sitting on the island is the Manor School for Magic. What an interesting premise!

Otis’ dad owns an ice cream shop in the town which has been in the family for generations. Unfortunately, a new one has opened up next door and is owned by a Manor graduate who is able to add a bit of magic to her ice creams. These prove to be very popular which means the family shop is suffering.

Otis also misses his mum dreadfully as she has recently passed away, and this is the reason he desperately wants to go to magic school, in the hope he can somehow bring her back. If he can’t get there by legitimate means, maybe stealth is the only way.

And so we follow Otis as he devises many different and usually outlandish ideas that will somehow get him to the floating island so that just maybe he will find some sort of spell to bring her back.

Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky is fast-paced and very emotional as we follow Otis, willing him to succeed even though not all of his ideas are good ones. Kostakis cleverly deals with grief and we feel the sadness and loss that at times overcomes Otis. He also finds help along the way when he least expects it.

At 147 pages and with short chapters, this wasn’t necessarily an easy read. Sentences with modern slang, such as ‘That sounds like cope,’ did not make it easier for me, but maybe a younger reader understands these terms better. I did read it a second time and enjoyed it much more.

While there are a number of stories with floating islands in the sky, this one seems different because the reason to get there is not just curiosity. Kostakis has also invented magic which feels new and exciting.

A middle grade reader who enjoys a bit of magic, fun, naughtiness, and the occasional pull at the heartstrings will enjoy Otis Ottley and the School in the Sky.

Reviewed by Sue Mauger

The views expressed in this review belong to the author and not Glam Adelaide, its affiliates, or employees.