The Wordsmith is a gripping and exciting book set after global warming. The survivors are building a community named Ark with Benjamin as the Wordsmith and Letta as his apprentice. One day Benjamin sets out on a journey to find new words for Ark, leaving Letta as the Wordsmith. Out of the blue a bedraggled boy called Marlo turns up at the shop. Letta makes friends with him and they try find Benjamin. The Mayor, John Noa, has secretly captured him while he tells the citizens of Ark that Benjamin is dead! Letta, Marlo and his friend Finn go to rescue him.
My favourite character is Finn because he is strong and brave but also caring and fatherly to Marlo.
I like the way that Patricia Ford introduces each chapter in The Wordsmith. At the start of each there is a small square with a word and its meaning. This is because Letta and Benjamin write out small cards with every word in list (their language) and their meanings for their job.
Overall, this is my favourite book I have ever read and I would like to read more by Patricia Ford.
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Buy this book at the Guardian Bookshop.
