The Orchard Underground
A monster. A mystery. An explosive secret …
‘Then there is the answer to your question. Who would make an ordinary thing if you could make a magical one?’
Not-quite twelve year-old Pri Kohli knows the town of Dunn’s Orchard better than anyone. After all, he was the first kid ever to live there. He knows its mysteries (none), its secrets (also none) and the best ways to have fun in it (climb a big tree and sit there).
So why can’t he answer newcomer Attica Stone’s simple question: if the town’s called Dunn’s Orchard, where’s the orchard?
As Pri and Attica go in search of forbidden fruit, they uncover stranger mysteries: a robot caterpillar, a mayor with a murky past, a Possibly Real Actual Boogeyman and a house made of doors in a haunted wood.
And behind them all, deep underground, they find the biggest mystery of all — a secret so precious Pri will consider demolishing his own town to protect it.
should i read The Chameleon Thief first?
All my stories can be read on their own – you don’t have to read anything else first!
But … if you want to read in order, start with The Chameleon Thief, and then The Orchard Underground.
Cool! how can I buy a copy of The Orchard Underground?
The best place is your nearest independent bookshop – the Australian Booksellers Association can help you find it. Support your local, and they’ll support you!
SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2019 READINGS CHILDREN’S BOOK PRIZE. YAY!
“Smart, mysterious and funny. This book will make you think, make you laugh, and keep you guessing”
“A brilliant mystery that will keep you guessing — fast-paced, utterly surprising in its plot, lush in its descriptions and packed with characters so real they step off the page”
“Fresh and funny, bursting with interesting characters”
“I loved every big weirdo in this magical, unpredictable and wondrous adventure!”
“Funny and intriguing … clever yet subtle … Larkin’s rich use of language will reward intelligent readers, but flows so smoothly it will also be accessible for those less confident”
Credits
The Orchard Underground was commissioned by Marisa Pintado for Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing.
Writer: Mat Larkin
Structural edit: Marisa Pintado, Luna Soo
Copy edit: Luna Soo
Design: Pooja Desai
Illustration: Marco Guadalupi
PRI UND DER UNTERIRDISCHE GARTEN
Wo um alles in der Welt sind die Obstbäume, die der Stadt Dunn’s Orchard ihren Namen gaben? Es kann doch nicht sein, dass der Bürgermeister alles plattmacht, um noch mehr Häuser zu bauen! Pri und Attica gehen dem Rätsel auf den Grund. Die Spur führt die Freunde tief in den Gruselwald zu einem mysteriösen Knochenmann und in einen unterirdischen Garten. Aber dieses grüne Paradies hat einen hohen Preis: Es bedroht die Stadt und nur Pri kann diese retten. Der Wettlauf beginnt …
Ein rasant-fantastisches Abenteuer mit genau der richtigen Portion Spannung und dramatischem Finale.
De ondergrondse boomgaard
Pri Kohli kent het stadje Dunns Boomgaard beter dan wie ook. Hij was het eerste kind dat hier kwam wonen. Hij kent alle raadsels van de stad (die zijn er niet), alle geheimen (die zijn er ook niet) en de beste plekken om iets te beleven (in een hoge boom klimmen en daar blijven zitten).
Waarom kan hij dan geen antwoord geven als Attica Stone, het nieuwe meisje, hem een simpele vraag stelt...?