
When Jack gives Death a taste of his own medicine, he’s unprepared for life in a world where nothing dies. An engaging quick-read for seriously struggling readers from award-winning author Tanya Landman. Jack’s mum is ill and Jack is devastated when Death arrives to take her away.
Jack doesn’t want to let her go, so he fights back and drives Death away. But what consequences will there be when Death is banished from the world? Particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 6.
- Author: Tanya Landman
- Illustrator: Cinthya Alvarez
- Publisher: Barrington Stoke
- ISBN: 978‑0‑00‑876489‑0
- Publication date: 6 November 2025 (UK)
- Dimensions: approx. 129 × 198 mm
- Interest age: 11+; Reading age: ~6 (suitable for struggling readers)
- Accessible layout: short length, clearly spaced text, designed to support readers with learning differences.
FAQs
Q1. Is this book suitable for readers with dyslexia?
Yes — it is published by Barrington Stoke, a specialist in accessible reading formats, and is described as “particularly suitable for readers aged 11+ with a reading age of 6”.
Q2. What age is this book aimed at?
The interest age is 11+, making it suitable for older children and young teens, while the reading age is around 6 to ensure it is accessible for those who read at a lower level.
Q3. What is the story about?
Jack’s mum is unwell, and when Death arrives, Jack fights back — driving Death away, only to find the world changes in profound ways. It’s a dramatic, fantastical tale of consequence and what it means when death vanishes.
Q4. Could this book work in schools or reading‑intervention settings?
Absolutely. With its short length (32 pages), accessible format and strong narrative, it is ideal for reading‑intervention groups, inclusive reading programmes or learners who typically struggle to complete longer texts.
Q5. Is the text simplified or shortened from original?
No — the story is original to Tanya Landman and specifically created as a quick‑read for accessibility purposes, not a simplified re‑tell of another text. While the length is short, the entire narrative is crafted for inclusion.