What can I say, I adored this book.  It brought out so many emotions in me – sorrow, joy and shock to name but a few.  The story itself is based on a Russian folk tale.  It draws you in right away.  Why does the house have chicken legs?  Why does it move? Who is Marinka and why is she building a fence made of bones when we first meet her?  Lots of questions and as we find out the answers there are lots of twists and turns along the way. 

Marinka is an incredibly relatable heroine who makes many mistakes but ultimately just wants a friend and the opportunity to follow her own path in life, not what others had decided for her, something I am sure we can all empathise with.  She is brave and kind and very caring, while also being stubborn and rash at times – strengths and flaws that make her someone we could be friends with in real life.  The supporting characters are all also strong and well written, all having an influence on Marinka as she goes on her journey through the course of the book.   

I really loved this story, the ending was incredibly satisfying and well earned.  Well worth a read for S1/S2 level!