At Young Page Turners, we believe that reading is one of the most powerful tools a child can have. It opens doors to imagination, empathy and lifelong learning. But let’s be honest, some children need a little extra encouragement to dive into a book. There are many reasons why children won’t pick up a book, but often it’s simply a matter of finding the right story, one that sparks curiosity and delivers a hearty dose of fun. Agent Starling: Operation Baked Beans by Jenny Moore, is a brilliant example of a book that could turn even the most reluctant reader into a page-turning enthusiast.
Agent Starling: Operation Baked Beans is a time-travelling adventure aimed at middle-grade readers, but I must confess – I thoroughly enjoyed it myself! It is a well-crafted story of equal parts hilarious, action-packed and delightfully bizarre. The plot kicks off in the most unexpected of places: the bath. Eleven-year-old Oliver Starling is trying to wash trifle out of his hair when he’s visited by Agent Owl from Her Majesty’s S Service (yes, that’s two S’s). Agent Owl recruits Oliver for a top-secret mission to travel back to Roman Britain via a time-travelling photo booth. The goal? To stop the dastardly Dr Midnight from corrupting history by introducing baked beans, popcorn, swimming trunks and fast-food burger joints to the ancient Romans.
Oliver, selected for this mission because he received a school merit award on Roman Britain, is more than happy to accept the mission, especially as it means skipping a maths test. What follows is a whirlwind of gladiators, lions, pink frilly pants and a chamber of pain.
Overall, Agent Starling: Operation Baked Beans is a fantastic fun riotous adventure through time that seamlessly blends history with humour and heroics in a way that will captivate and excite young readers. It’s easy to read, highly engaging and perfect for young page turners who love their adventure served with a side helping of silliness. The story is packed with humour and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, especially in the first half of the story. The second half shifts momentum, ramping up into a full-blown adventure, with Oliver and Agent Owl having to race against time to preserve the integrity of history.
The writing is clever and engaging. Jenny Moore expertly weaves in historical facts with the fun of sci-fi to create a gripping fun story. As children get lost in the pages, they are transported back through time where they will learn about gladiator arenas, Roman education (which was for boys only) and slavery, all while being thoroughly entertained.
The characters are quirky, fun and memorable: Oliver is a relatable hero (even if he is trapped in the wrong century wearing his mum’s pink frilly pants), Agent Owl is delightfully eccentric and Dr Midnight is the perfect blend of evil genius and comic relief. Jules (aka Julia), Oliver’s companion in Roman Britain, adds more depth to the story, while Gluteus, the narcissistic Roman, provides plenty of laughs and giggles.
There are moments of mild peril that might scare younger or more sensitive readers; being chased by a lion, for instance, but they’re handled with a light touch that keeps the tone fun and age-appropriate. The book’s title promises baked beans, and while there’s less flatulence than you might expect, the absurdity of modern snacks in ancient times more than makes up for it.
Whether your child is a confident reader or one who needs a little coaxing, Agent Starling: Operation Baked Beans could be just the ticket to ignite their love of stories and one that we’re thrilled to recommend.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £6.99 (Paperback)
Available to buy from Amazon here.
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